We went there for lunch at the recommendation of local friends. The place was crowded so we ended up at a long table. I had their original BBQ sandwich. The fancy bun fell apart making it hard to eat. The meat was not as tender as I would have liked. I liked their "Texas" cheesy potatoes, but my lunch only came with a little scoop of potatoes. Overall its a good and not expensive place for lunch. Be careful of the driveway. It's just off of a busy corner that looks like you can use a left turn lane but you really can't. Going west on 11th street go past, turn around, and come back going east. There is overflow parking down the side of the building.
(4)
Dan F.
Grabbed some lunch here with a customer. I have been here several times over the years and it is very consistent. Service is always fast and friendly. Food is always tasty. Not my favorite BBQ shop in OR, but I wouldn't pass it by either. Give it a try.
(4)
James C.
Fried Pickles and a Pulled Pork Sandwich (w/ potato salad) and some delicious strawberry lemonade is all I need for a hearty lunch.
(5)
Sean S.
What a great BBQ joint! Probably some of the nicest service I've received at a restaurant in a long time. It's rare that you go out to eat and every server in the place wants to make sure you're taken care of, not just the one entitled to the tip. When it came time to order, I went with the plate of pulled pork and ribs with a side of french fries, potato salad and corn muffin. What is BBQ all about? Tender meat and awesome sauce! When the meal was brought out to me, there was no sauce on the plate. I was totally left to my own saucing. One down side here, is the sauces are left on the table and are not served warm, kind of a nit-pick but this does make a difference in some BBQ lovers minds. Of the two sauces available, the first I attempted was nothing special, however the second I had a go at (the spicier of the two) was fantastic. It had just the right amount of kick for my taste buds to do a little dancing. The meat was very tender and totally enjoyable. All in all it was a great experience and I will definitely go back next time I'm craving BBQ. The pricing isn't bad at all for the amount of food you get. Recommended.
(4)
Meggie W.
The BBQ was pretty good, the service not so much. Prices were standard. Their potato salad was killer; I would go back just for that!
(3)
billy r.
Best BBQ in Eugene? I hope not. The meats are cooked really well but have little flavor. The sides are only okay, very basic. The chili was pretty darn good, though. Other reviewers have pointed out the high prices and the small portions. They are very correct. Way too little meat (mediocre as it is) for way too much money. This is very very basic BBQ, it would not last a week in any of the BBQ meccas that are mentioned in other reviews. Obviously Oregon is no Austin or Memphis, but come on. I Live in Cottage Grove and work near Vaneta so if I want BBQ, you will catch me at Tony's in Vaneta or Big Stuff in CG. Not here again. Oh, I almost forgot many reviews speak to the great service... Well if your idea of great service is being interrupted every forty seconds to ask if everything is okay, then you will love our waitress. I would take a bite of brisket and a bite of a side and there she was. How about letting me eat a little more and figuring out if everything is okay. I don't mind attentive wait staff, but she bordered on "stalker status." meh...
(2)
Jando S.
The popularity of Hole In the Wall has gotten to be out of hand nowadays. There was a near 30 min wait on a Sunday afternoon and some of the prices have gone up. The food is still stellar, with the awesome cheesy potatoes, pulled pork, and baby back ribs. Service has gone down a slight notch, with a lot of college waitstaff who didn't seem to care much about our group. There was some overcharging initially which resulted in a near hole in the wallet, but it seems the name Hole In The Wall is just an oxymoron now.
(3)
Brandon H.
What can I say, I'm a regular. We're in here once a week, every week, and have been for a couple years. That should say something.
(5)
Betsy F.
I've only eaten there 2 times but I feel like their food is way to expensive for the portions you get. I was SHOCKED when I paid $15 for maybe 3oz of pulled pork. Very little beer options and OH GOD the place looks tacky. But for BBQ places in eugene it's slim pickings.
(2)
Dennis S.
Best BBQ in Eugene, year in and year out. Most places over time seem to go downhill a little. Hole in the Wall actually has gotten better. I am a Certified BBQ Judge and have been involved in bbq competitions up and down the west coast. Hole in the Wall consistantly turns out great Q. Acutally the best in town is in my backyard, but I only do that for friends. Prices are reasonable considering cost of meat and overhead.
(5)
Melinda H.
Hole in the Wall is a long time consistent favorite of my husband and I. My favorite order is pulled pork, texas potatoes & a green salad. If the regular BBQ sauce offerings aren't spicy enough for you request the extra spicy stuff with your order. The staff is super friendly and the service is always fast. Get there early if you want to be sure a specific menu item is available. We also love the breakfast at the Springfield restaurant.
(5)
Sarah A.
Pretty good little place. The food is pretty average and the service is excellent. They have decent meats and sides. Nothing really bad about this place but it's definitely not the best BBQ I've had.
(3)
Daisy S.
Stopped for dinner here on our way to Portland. Since I was in my BBQ mood, this place caught my eyes. We were there on a Friday and the wait was about 15 minutes. So, sat down... the service was friendly. We ordered a plate that has two kind of meats and two side dishes. We had the pulled pork and ribs. We shared. It was pretty big portion. The BBQ is pretty good, but I think, I imagined the taste differently. I wanted something BBQ-ie but sweeter. BUT, I didn't say that it wasn't good. The meat are so tender that we didn't even need a knife to cut them. The cheesy potatoes are nearly awesome. The beans.. could have been better though. I just didn't think it was cooked enough. It was rather hard. The price is decent, I wish it could be cheaper though... considering it is in a small town in Oregon.
(3)
Andrew D.
We have loved Hole in the Wall for years. It's nice that they have this great location now in Springfield. Good service, great food and its family friendly. Very nice place! You must try the breakfast! The Hot wings are superb! The Turkey is as good as it gets and the Sunday Brunch is very nice.
(4)
K. R.
I wasn't a fan at all. The server was very nice and prompt with our drinks and food. The food was greasy and barely above warm. I'll stick to my own BBQ.
(2)
Barney P.
Auhhh. So, went there for lunch the other day. It was the lunch rush, packed .. Waiting line going outside .. Only two waitresses... Ordered the burger just to mix it up. Very dry. Added sauce to it, but ugh. Ordered a Pepsi, got some kind of cherry coke? Told the " wise cracking" waitress who said, " cherry coke,,, no way, that's Pepsi ". Ohh k, so make a scene over a drink or let it go? Cooler heads prevailed , plus we were in a bit of a hurry. Wasn't real happy with the food The time before that, we went and they were out of chicken. And then ran out of Pork! Huh? Lots of BBQ joints popping up in town. They need to step up their game if they want to stay relevant.
(2)
Hehe D.
I have cooked pit BBQ for 25 years. I am a KCBS BBQ judge. I owned a BBQ spot. Please keep in mind most folks do not get the chance to eat fresh of the cooker brisket and ribs absolutllllly the best!!!. That said it is incredibly hard to hold BBQ at this level. So you cannot compare Hole in the wall to Arthurs in Texas. Why because Arthurs slings brisket from the cooker to the prep table and it is gone in 20 minutes and when there out there out for the day maybe 35% of BBQ joints are like this in the south. So without that kind of volume we have to HOLD BBQ in a holding oven. Well ALL FOOD dries and loses some of its freshness. So bottom line if I can get a fairly consistent BBQ that is not TO dry and has good flavor from a BBQ joint I am a happy BBQ judge!!!!! Hole in the Wall does just that!! That is where the 4 star comes from. You cannot supply completion quality BBQ consistently all day from a warmer!! So hence you cannot rate a BBQ place comparing it to competition BBQ! If you want to taste the best. Call and order pick up when it comes off the cooker!!!
(4)
Don J.
Would not recommend their catering. Unprofessional and unable to fulfill simple requests. Food not bad, but nothing we would recommend.
(1)
Bob B.
A good - not outstanding - place to eat BBQ. I almost always have their baby back rib plate and a couple of sides depending on what I'm in the mood for. My g/f always has a bbq'd turley sandwich which she says is very good. The ribs are served dry but the table always has a selection of BBS sauces to choose from which you can add to your meat. Missing: St. Louis style ribs! Why?
(3)
Amy J.
This place is awesome for their pulled pork sandwich with fries, honestly, that is always what me and my hubby have ordered, it is very well-priced and the portions are comparatively large next to some of their other entrees. The pulled pork is very good, though it does not have much flavor besides the pork on its own, this is not necessarily bad, and I love the sauces, the honey whiskey(the spicy one that is) is my favorite sauce. People have complained about this place a lot on here I see, but since I moved to Salem, I appreciate Hole in the Wall even more. Hands down, they are the best BBQ I have had in the Valley so far. Salem's BBQ fare is sorely lacking, we went to Adam's Rib, hearing it was the best BBQ around, and if that's true, I'd like to taste the worst in Salem... lol I always enjoyed Hole in the Wall though, especially their potato salad which is one of the best potato salads I have ever had, I am a potato salad fanatic, I have had potato salads from all over the country and made many myself, and their's is absolutely one of my favorites, it is very creamy and has a nice subtle flavor, not too over powering, though unfortunately, I am pretty sure it has a milk product in it, so I cannot eat it anymore, as I now know I have a milk allergy. My husbands father who used to live in the south and ate BBQ on a daily basis really enjoys it as well, so that says something to me, though others here claim to have done the same and don't like it, so I suppose it is a matter of taste. The smoked ham, beef brisket, and turkey legs are all great, but other than the turkey leg, the portions are definitely too small for the price, but I don't mind as all of the food is high quality and the unlimited strawberry lemonade is great as well as the sweet tea, and the service is always amazing whether in the Springfield store or the Eugene one, they are always friendly and often very helpful, it is the best and most consistent service I have ever had at a restaurant besides a restaurant in Flagstaff, Arizona called "Oregano's", and they are not BBQ. lol For me, the servuce at a restaurant is just as big of a draw, if not more so than the food, if the service is consistently poor, I will not go back, no matter how much I enjoy the food. God Bless ~Amy
(4)
Krysta H.
Wow! I just had the brisket which was so good! So were the beans, bbq sauce rocks and the waiter was super cute. Ill be back! Mmmmm
(4)
Dominic I.
So this is my first bad review, i don't really like to write them because i work in the service industry and I sometimes get frustrated with what some people have to say about where i work, especially if they make invalid assumptions about pour size, product quality, etc. Let me start by saying that this review is based primarily on food, i ordered take out. The service staff seemed nice, had i eating there, it may have made my experience better. I ordered the "1/4 chicken and ribs with two sides" I was assuming that the chicken was a grilled barbecued chicken, which i am a big fan of, and although i like a lot of what "papa's soul food" has to offer, I'm not very fond of there BBQ chicken, so I've been aching for some. I did however see that the ribs were dry rub, which i excited to try, a previous job of mine made awesome dry rub ribs. For sides I got Mac and cheese and coleslaw. The meal all together was $15, which is a little steep, but i realized it sounded like it was going to be well worth it. Well it really wasn't worth it at all... I was asked if i wanted dark or light meat, i asked for dark, i feel it is more tender and has more flavor. Lets just say i was somewhat shocked when i got home and opened the to go container. An odd smell immediately exited the plastic container, and it no shit smelled like cat food. There i find a chicken hind, skin on, than looked like it was seasoned, thrown in the oven for way to long and than moved to a heat lamp for way too long. It was in no way appetizing. The Barbecue sauce came separate in a little sauce container. The ribs on the other hand LOOKED like it had some hope, and when i bit into to it all hope was lost to the driest, saddest, waist of meat I've ever seen a restaurant served. Barbecue ribs are supposed to be tasty. This was not tasty. The mac and cheese looked like the sauce was made from the crayola crayon, and it tasted very off; almost artificial and a strange consistency. If I'm going to eat artificial tasting mac and cheese I'll just stick to Kraft. The coleslaw was about the only thing in the whole meal that was somewhat enjoyable, but how had is it to mess up a 6 ingredient salad. It was one of the few experiences that i seriously considered calling them up and telling them what a disappointment it was, but i dont expect anything from it. I just want people to get a heads up and not be too surprised if you have a similar food experience. At least be cheap if your food is gonna taste like that.
(1)
Truth B.
Good food. Little overpriced and the portions vary, I think, depending on when you go.
(3)
JP B.
BEST FRENCH DIP EVER!!! Also Had brisket sandwich -- delicious! Fried pickles were yummy. Staff is very helpful Nd friendly! We will be back!!!
(5)
Brad B.
Hole in the Wall is a great little gem. We were down from Vancouver to grab something in Eugene and decided to grab a bite to eat here. Glad we did. Try the pulled pork platter with their fries. Good food and even better service!
(5)
Krista H.
My roommate and I ate at Hole in the Wall and as usual we left happy. Their food is amazing. Besides the incredible ribs I highly recommend their pulled pork and beef brisket. As for sides I recommend the Texas cheesy potatoes and the fries. Make sure to ask for the fry sauce because it is addictive. Tonight we were in a hurry and at first the service started out a bit slow. We politely let our waitress know that we were needing to leave by a certain time and she served us accordingly. Kudos to her for being very attentive and getting us out the door on time.
(5)
Nick A.
Loved the food and loved the service, I would totally recommend this place!! They don't mask the meat with sauce!! I will be back for prime rib night!!
(5)
Izzy L.
went in for a late lunch. friendly folks but both the pork ribs and beef brisket were fairly overcooked or left in the holding oven too long. flavor profile was decent. cole slaw and beans lacked much flavor but cornbread was above average. Prices average , overall average
(3)
Stan S.
Driving and looking for a place to eat when I spotted this place. Got the only parking space in the otherwise full, small lot so, knew this had to be a local favorite (it is). Waited to be seated at the hostess station and soon was. The weird thing is she then went back to it to get me a menu and silverware. Other than that one quirk, the staff was extremely friendly, helpful, and quick. I had the special which was a smoked patty bacon cheeseburger. If you REALLY like smokey flavor in your meat, you'll like this burger. For me, it was too much. I prefer it enhance the flavor of the meat not be the flavor. Didn't know you could get meat to taste that much like smoke without liquid smoke! I had the Mac and cheese and potato salad sides and both were very good. Despite the burger experience, I do plan to try the place again to sample the more traditional BBQ meats - which I wish I had this time.
(2)
Cyan B.
Nice small town, mom and pop eatery. The folks here are very friendly and efficient. I'm addicted to the brisket of beef! The sides are what you'd expect someone's mom to make. Someone who is a very good cook! I've had most of them and they are really a treat. My favorites are the coleslaw and the Texas potatoes! This is one of 2 dine-in restaurants owned by the same people. Also this W 11th branch is the original location, smaller than the Springfield branch but with a great and fun "broken in" atmosphere. Lots of Texas stuff on the walls. Very welcoming! The owners really want you to have a super dinning experience, which is evident by the feedback card at every table. Nothing pretentious about this place just great Texas style BBQ and great fixings.
(5)
Kellie G.
My family and I stopped here as bbq suddenly sounded good we picked the family style dinner. 2 meats brisket and pulled pork.. 2 sides mac cheese and Texas potatoes. ..salad and sweet rolls and corn muffins and OMG brownies for dessert all for a mere 11.99 a person yummy
(5)
Sean G.
Are there for quick dinner last night with a good friend. Impressed by the waitress excellent service and the quality of the corn bread. Incredible. I had the world famous pulled pork sandwich and she brought out 3 different bbq sauces to try my favorite by far was the honey variation my sweet potato fries were excellent and a generous portion needless to say I was stuffed by the time I left for a little over ten dollars what an incredible spot to dine!
(5)
Jen W.
Oh, my. I had tried the Hole in the Wall at Valley River Mall and it was absolutely delicious. So based on that pleasant experience, I figured their other location (on W. 11th) would be comparable. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. I've tried the W. 11th restaurant twice now and the food quality is very poor. The beef patties are so chalked full of artificial smoke flavor that it's unappealing. Both times our hot food arrived at our table ice cold, the fries shriveled and the waitress a bit snippy and unaccommodating. I don't think we'll give this restaurant a third try.
(1)
Jonathan M.
This place is great! The st louis ribs are perfect, fall off the bone, and the spicy bourbon bbq sauce is delicious. Try the fries! Try the strawberry lemonade too!!
(5)
Simon R.
One of the best places to get southern style BBQ in the stater of Oregon! A bit spendy like all BBQ this place is worth every penny. I usually always get the 3 meat platter with Hot Links, Pulled Pork, and the staple in my mind that you always have, the brisket. Sooo good especially if you add the whip sauce. A spicy and insanely flavorful sauce. If you like potatoes you simply cant go wrong with their Texas potatoes as a side and add the mac and cheese. What can I say, I love this place and you would too.
(5)
Benjamin K.
Excellent smoked turkey sandwich and fried okra I liked that they leave adding BBQ sauce to the customer and offer a variety of sauces made onsite.
(4)
Janet M.
When I lived in Eugene my friend and I would trek out here to get barbecue. There aren't a lot of choices in Eugene for that. I liked the pulled pork sandwiches, they were fairy decent, and the smoked turkey, and the sauce, and the sides. I don't know if it's still there but there was an old piano and sometimes there would be someone playing it. Fun. The potato salad kicked butt. I liked all the sides, but especially liked that there was a variety to choose from. I liked the dessert too, probably too much ( corn bread pudding? um, YUM). NO, it's not the world's best barbecue ( this girl's daddy came from Kansas City, and I lived in Austin for a year, so I know what it's supposed to be like, ok) but it's better than adequate. Last time I was down there I had a pulled pork sandwich and it was just the same. It was a decent lunch. If you're on your way to Florence you have to drive right by it, might as well stop in!
(3)
Steve B.
We stopped at Hole in the Wall BBQ saturday night just before closing time. It was our first adventure here so we scoped it out well...I looked to see if the people in the restaurant (and it was packed) looked like they were having fun, and they all did. My friend was checking out the menu that was posted to see what they had that sounded good. My first question was, " Do they have baby backs?" and the answer is No! so that was disappointing...before we could pick something we were whisked off to the last open booth. so yeah, fast service and friendly like others have commented on...it was good to see that. Our server had a good sense of humor (commendable at the end of a busy night) and we had some fun joking back and forth with her. She suggested several items but we went with what we usually get when we go to bbq....ribs for me (st louis style) and brisket for my friend. he thought the brisket was delicious and I felt the same way about the ribs. Only "ding" was the very dry cole slaw...I thought about returning it but we were having fun and the rest of the meal really filled me up so ill just choose something else next time. Great place and seems to be a good spot to take kids too as there was a big table with kids and everyone looked to be enjoying themselves!! :-)
(4)
M K.
This is a great place. Everything that we have had has been excellent, from salads to BBQ. Service is fast and the wait staff is great... they have a sense of humor, they are efficient, and wonderfully friendly. In fact they are consistently the best waitresses I remember. Really, each time we go my wife and I are a bit amazed that the business is able to hire such friendly people. I'm going back on Friday for the fried chicken.
(5)
Andrea W.
The first several times I've eaten here the food was amazing! The ribs were so tender and juicy. Literally fall of the bone! The service is okay. They're nice, but one lady in particular is pretty forgetful. The food always made up for that...not lately though. The ribs have been pretty dry. And the side options have tasted like they were sitting in a warmer. I'm hoping it was just bad luck, and next time I go in its back to what I am used to
(3)
Auntie J.
This is my fav BBQ when visiting Eugene. Great ribs with several choices of BBQ source. The staff is very pleasant, quick & helpful. Fruit (peach, berry, or apple) crips served hot with scoop of ice cream or brownie sunday perfect way to end our meal.
(5)
Tim B.
I'm really disappointed that this place didn't offer a hole in the wall where "the men could see it all." One of my favorite waitresses works here. She looks like a middle-age kindergarten teacher with a lovely and unbelievably snarky attitude. The price of admission is worth dealing with her alone. I've eaten here twice, once on a Thursday when they have smoked cheeseburgers. The cheeseburger is delivered ultra-pink, it almost looks raw, but it's dry and not greasy and has a lovely smokey taste. I can't say that I liked it more than a really good grilled or fried burger but the experience shouldn't be missed. I urge you to check out their smoked burgers on Thursdays. Today I had the Prime Rib French Dip which was smoked and lovely. The prime rib was super moist and delicate. I also got a small order of fries which are homemade and delicious. A cornbread muffin of decent, but not spectacular quality, made an appearance. It's not cheap, lunch for two was a whopping $32 for two of the above entrees and two tall glasses of sweet tea which were kept filled constantly. They also have fried chicken which this southerner has missed for quite some time, it's on my list to try. I have nothing overly witty to say on this review because HITW deserves some 'spect. From what I've had here it's well above average and bordering on spectacular. I'm tempted to call this one four stars but cannot bring myself to do it. Five stars for all around awesomeness.
(5)
Nicole D.
Not a fan of this place. The first time we went, the food was ok. The second and third times it was all bone dry, tasteless, and just not what we had before. Definitely had much better and am not impressed. Very inconsistent. Will not be there again.
(2)
Wella A.
The pulled pork smelled wonderful but disappointingly tasted bland unless it was covered in barbeque sauce that was unfortunately too sweet. I enjoyed the chicken more but it was the skin that gave the smoky flavor otherwise I don't think I would've enjoyed it at all. I had to salt the beans, and I ate the green beans because I wanted vegetables, otherwise I would've let the seemingly canned stuff alone. The highlight of my dish was the crunchy coleslaw and the tart potato salad...I should've had more of that.
(3)
Zac H.
It's ok but if you're expecting the real hole in the wall from Seattle you're going to be disappointed. Meat and BBQ sauce isn't nearly as good. It's still edible but it's not the same amazing beef BBQ you get in Seattle. I know it was allowed by the owners, but this place shouldn't be allowed to use the same name.
(3)
Jeb S.
Food is great and service is great.. My fav bbq place in town on my way now for tuesday night meatloaf!
(5)
Heath T.
Disgusting. Absolutely disgusting. The cornbread muffins taste like they were dipped in barbecue sauce. The fries were soggy. The meat was full of fat and so chewy I nearly choked. I will never eat here again and I suggest you avoid.
(1)
Benjamin S.
This place has a 3 star average? Seriously? I have to assume that's because people in Eugene can't read. This BBQ hotspot has been good for years and will continue to be. If people complain about the food here it's probably because they forgot to take the dip out of their rapidly decaying bottom lip for long enough to enjoy a meal. The BBQ sandwich is amazing, and on Thursdays they do a burger. That burger is the biggest juiciest BBQ burger I've ever encountered, and look at my picture, it's obvious I've encountered a vast multiplicity of them. The staff is sassy and fun. The atmosphere is always outgoing and remarkably clean. The whole place is a success story. If you gave this place less than 4 stars you're probably one of the 300 idiots that camp outside of McDonalds every year for the return of the McRib.
(5)
ashley e.
My food was kind of cold and kind of bland. If anyone knows where to find good bbq in this town, please let me know.
(2)
Anthony R.
It will do in a pinch. I mean, if you're starving or the only other option is Lok Yaun. This is BBQ for White people, (capital W, please). White people who probably think it's quaint to pop into a real life BBQ joint. But this place isn't. The overwhelming flavor profile can be described as Post-Millenial Bland. Everything is DRY as sawdust. The sides are average--so average in fact that you forget what you ate as soon as you walk out the door. I've given Hole in the Wall several tries, mostly because it always wins "Best BBQ" in local polls. This, however, is the same town that considers P.F. Chang's the pinnacle of Chinese cuisine. If you want BBQ, I'd go check out Papa's or even better, BBQ King. I'd even eat Horsehead's mediocre pulled pork before coming here again.
(2)
Clare H.
The first time I ate at this small Eugene gem, it was worth five stars; the second time, it was worth three. So, as a compromise, I'll give it four. The first time, the chicken was moist and beautifully barbequed and mouthwatering when slathered with house sauce. The second time, it was dry and needed lots of sauce just to finish it. The first time, the ribs were coated in a caramelized crust and fell off the bone. The second time, they were overcooked and in need of TLC. Apart from inconsistency of meats, the sides were delicious. Steamed fresh green beans, creamy mac n' cheese, dill potato salad that stole my friend's heart and influenced the purchase of a second portion, moist corn bread muffins, sweet tea in small glass boots, and sweet baked beans made for a lovely evening. Baked apple crisp was actually the first item that was ordered during the second dining experience (a friend's tradition) and while it came in a tiny cup, it was worthy of its description, sliced apples drenched in gooey goodness encased in flaky buttery crust and topped in vanilla ice cream. I will be back in hopes of another first meal experience.
(4)
Scott M.
Coming from Texas, let's just say I have eaten a lot of BBQ. This is great food and service. No idea where people rating it low ate. Can't be the same restaurant.
(5)
Matt N.
I didn't really enjoy the BBQ here as much as the reviews had me thinking I would. It was good- but a little overpriced for the flavor and portions (lunch). Service was good- I was the only person in the restaurant when I arrived, so I would have been disappointed had it not been. The sauces were pretty standard. My side dishes were lacking flavor as well- so the sauces definitely helped in that category.
(2)
Tinky R.
Really yummy!!!
(5)
Michelle H.
We have gone to the Springfield location twice for dinner about 6 months apart. There are not a lot of BBQ places to choose from, so I will likely return but only when the craving is strong. The service was incredible. Friendly, attentive and fast. This latest visit was a Saturday night and while we waited for about 10 minutes to be seated, once we were settled in our booth we were well cared for. The food tasted very good. They had a nice variety of sides and meats. My husband had the french fries and I was certain they were fried in bacon fat, they were that amazing. Hands down the best fries we had ever eaten. Turns out they blanch the potatoes first before frying and they change their fryer grease weekly (rather than monthly at most places). The insides were creamy and the outside (skins on) were firm without being brittle and had intense flavor. If I were rating just the fries it would be 6 stars. The meats themselves were well prepared, full of smoky flavor without being too dry. Sauce options made sure there was something for everyone's taste. The portion sizes in comparison to price were disappointing. I am a big eater, so I will say that I appreciate a hearty portion. But as a realist, I can say that their prices are too high for what you get. I can see where meat would be spendy and they could offset it by loading up on the sides, salads and bread, but that is not the case here. Sides are served in 1/2cup ramekins. Salads are a side to choose and not included for everyone and the rolls/cornbread basket was paltry and cold. Praise Worthy: Service, flavor Improvement needed: prices/serving sizes
(3)
Howard R.
Hole in the Wall BBQ was a good place for a single person for dinner. Raves to the staff who are friendly and attentive. They almost are hovering... but not quite. I had a 2 meat combo with brisket and pulled pork. The meats were cooked well, but a little lacking on a heavy smoke flavor. The bourbon bbq sauce was a nice touch to compliment them. My sides were the smoked clam chowder (on a Friday night) which was something that I would go back for any time and the texas potatoes which also were a great find. They kept the iced tea topped up, the place was immaculately clean (even the men's room!!) and I paid $16 for dinner. In all not a bad experience. I'll be back.
(3)
Lance E.
Ok.....I was in a itch to have BBQ, and me and my buddy settled on Hole In The Wall on West 11th. If I were to appropriately name it for my experience, I would call it "The Hole in My Wallet and Colon BBQ". Lets start with the pluses: 1.Awesome wait staff!! 2.Very clean restaurant! 3.Very clean restroom-this is a big one. 4.The Iced Tea was good. Let's move on with the negatives: 1.The food temperature of both entree's was down right cold. 2.Our original waiter failed to inform us they had run out of the chicken,and the daily hamburger special. 3.The barbecue sauces wer'e dissapointing, and tasted like ketchup.There was no spiciness to the sauce's. 4.I prefer my sauces heated with BBQ, not out of a bottle. 5.What exactly is,the pink mayonaise concoction that they served with the meal? 6.Mediocre drink selection. 7.Hardly any beer's on tap. 8.The decor looked like Oklahoma and New Jersey had a baby out of wedlock. All in all, this was a poor dining experience, and decision, considering the samll mortgage I had to take out to pay for the meal.Split second dining decisions are bad. I think next time, Ill stick with the deli at Dari Mart. "You know the good thing about all those executions in Texas? Fewer Texans!!"--George Carlin
(1)
Teri B.
We've been there twice and the food was tasty, service was great, and the place is clean. It's a little pricey for the portions and it's weird to pay extra for fries or a side with a sandwich, so that's why only 4 stars. I was there with three boys and they all just about licked their plates and did not walk away hungry. Sometimes I think we are so used to over-portioning that we feel ripped off if we can't take half our dinner home in a doggie-bag.
(4)
Cassidy C.
I'll like this place their cornbread muffins are bomb, I like their sides I'm just not a fan of the sauces. But I wont hate, Its bbq, I like bbq so Im prob goin back
(3)
Virgil B.
Wednesday special prime rib French dip was excellent and Chicken and Ribs with the "ask for the special sweet-spicy BBQ sauce" were outstanding. Prices are fair, you'll get plenty to eat all with smiles from everyone there. Great locally owned place.
(5)
Carrie A.
I know everyone in town loves Papa's Soul Food Kitchen -- and so do I -- but I just tried Hole in the Wall today, and seriously, the barbecued chicken is the best I've ever had. Oh my god. So good. The garlic fries are also delicious, and my husband was happy with his pulled pork sandwich. That said, I do agree with previous reviewers that it's a bit too expensive, and the atmosphere is nothing special. Still -- try it! Get the chicken!
(4)
Henry G.
Love the ambiance(does that word apply to wood paneling?). The pulled pork sandwich was great and I love that there are two kinds of BBQ sauces on the table for me to use at my discretion. Dug this place though a buck cheaper would have been appropriate.
(4)
libby d.
II just ordered from here through Pony Express,and the food was horrible.The ribs were tough,the sides i received were very small portions,it was terrible,wish i could give zero stars,the food was just nasty!
(1)
Amie G.
I was craving BBQ. Being new to Eugene I had never eaten at this establishment. My stepson informed me that it is a chain restaurant which generally means the quality is lower (in my book anyway) and the food is a bit artificial. We had already arrived so I decided what the heck we'll give it a go. First off, the wait staff was very nice and attentive. We were seated right away and the waitress was very good at making sure we had everything we needed without stopping every 5 seconds to check on us. So that's where the 2 stars come from. Great service is nice, but I expected a quality meal. We ordered the special "Meatloaf Platter with 2 sides" I chose green beans and the Mac n Cheese. The meatloaf was mediocre and I could tell they use very cheap meat. The Mac n Cheese tasted like it had butter flavored Crisco rather than real butter and a bit too much paprika for my tastes, it was quite artificial tasting. The green beans were slightly better than okay, they were cooked properly and I liked that they added a bit of peppers to it. The cornbread muffin was dry, too dry, and they do not serve actual butter, they serve a margarine mix. Obviously I'm not a fan of artificial items. The sauce was okay. For the price of $11.99, the portion was definitely not large enough. Especially since I've read some rave reviews about other bbq places in Eugene that load up the food and have great prices. If you've never had authentic BBQ and you don't care about artificial additives, this place might be for you. As for me, I'll stick to making it myself.
(2)
Nicholas B.
This place was awesome. Good seasoning. Friendly waitress and very reasonably priced. 5 of us ate for $60. Would definitely eat here again if I was passing through.
(5)
Jean S.
It's okay bar-b-que; but not for what they charge and certainly not for how they've built a reputation. I guess we just don't have any bar-b-que joints around here and have to settle for this place. And don't bother asking for any hot sauce, because what they consider their hotest sauce is mild to say the least. Won't go back.
(2)
Stuart P.
Perfectly adequate bar-b-que if you've never lived within driving (or eating) distance of Memphis. The sauce leaves a great deal to be desired, despite their obvious pride in it. The baked beans are bland, the slaw too crisp. On the plus side, everyone there is real nice.
(2)
W M.
I do better BBQ..just have this goofy job thing that interferes with my ability to give these nice folks a run for their biz. Nice staff, my customers seem to enjoy their visits there but seriously, this is very average BBQ on their best days.
(2)
Mary C.
This place is really good if you are in the mood for some BBQ! The St. Louis kind that starts with a dry rub. You can add BBQ sauce if you want (the sauce is great) but the meat doesn't need it. My favorite side here is the Texas Potatoes!!! SO GOOD! Great place to grub if you are in the mood for some fingerlickin' bbq. The people at the W 11th location are really nice too.
(4)
Eric L.
Walking into this place shocked me. It felt like I was back in the midwest!! The food here is good, but expensive. I got the BBQ Chicken and it was delicious. They roast the chicken so it's all smokey and tender and not saucy. If you want saucy they have a bottle at the table! The texas style potatoes and the sweet cornbread muffins are killer. My friend got the pulled pork sandwich for $6.50 and it did not come with any sides at all. He was still hungry after finishing his sandwich, and he ended up eating my sides and scraps. The waitstaff was really nice and prompt. We ordered our food and it was out within 10 minutes. I think other places are better though for the price you pay. I would change the name of this place to "Hole in the Wallet BBQ".
(2)
Michelle F.
I'm a vegetarian, and my boyfriend (who is not vegetarian) and I are hooked on the potato salad. Yumm!!
(4)
Craig B.
I think it is harder to review your favorite restaurants, or places you frequent on a regular basis. Not that you lose any objectivity, you just have so many experiences to draw from it becomes challenging to focus. Hole in the Wall has been a favorite of mine for a good eight years after a friend introduced me to their food. If you are craving BBQ this is a great place to go. The chicken is always moist and delicious, and the pulled pork or beef brisket sandwiches full of flavor. My favorites include the fresh cut fries, the smoked bacon cheeseburger, and the lone star salad with hot links. I can't remember having a bad meal or poor service experience. It is definitely worth a visit.
(5)
C. C.
Best BBQ for Eugene. The moment I walked in, it felt familiar to Texas, the booths, Texas flags, cowboy gear on the walls, ahhh home. The service is friendly and quick. They take care of you with Southern style hospitality, which is a lot different than Northwest hospitality(if it even exists). As for the food, well it is the best BBQ you will find in Eugene. It's not the same as Texas BBQ, mainly because Texans smoke their meats over pecan wood and you can't get that here. The price is what it is-reasonable but not cheap. You'll pay it if you want to scratch that BBQ itch. The meal portions could be bigger though,
(4)
Caroline R.
Last night, after a long day of work and school, I was in no mood to cook dinner. My sweetie was craving BBQ and I wasn't craving something quite as gastro-intestinally devastating as Papa's Soul Food (don't get me wrong... they are THE PLACE for delicious-albeit-artery-clogging goods in town...) so we decided to go to Hole in the Wall. While they aren't quite as good as Papa's (they don't have as much variety or fried chicken) the service was excellent, the food was really good, and everything got to us super fast. The atmosphere was relaxed and fun, the smoked chicken was juicy and tender, and the Texan potatoes are off the hook. Also their Sonoran Ranch is TOTALLY good and the side-salad is pretty delicious. All in all, I recommend this place if you are really feeling barbeque but don't want to cook it yourself and don't want something that is gonna leave you with the 'itis.
(3)
K. R.
I wasn't a fan at all. The server was very nice and prompt with our drinks and food. The food was greasy and barely above warm. I'll stick to my own BBQ.
(2)
Andrew D.
We have loved Hole in the Wall for years. It's nice that they have this great location now in Springfield. Good service, great food and its family friendly. Very nice place! You must try the breakfast! The Hot wings are superb! The Turkey is as good as it gets and the Sunday Brunch is very nice.
(4)
Barney P.
Auhhh. So, went there for lunch the other day. It was the lunch rush, packed .. Waiting line going outside .. Only two waitresses... Ordered the burger just to mix it up. Very dry. Added sauce to it, but ugh. Ordered a Pepsi, got some kind of cherry coke? Told the " wise cracking" waitress who said, " cherry coke,,, no way, that's Pepsi ". Ohh k, so make a scene over a drink or let it go? Cooler heads prevailed , plus we were in a bit of a hurry. Wasn't real happy with the food The time before that, we went and they were out of chicken. And then ran out of Pork! Huh? Lots of BBQ joints popping up in town. They need to step up their game if they want to stay relevant.
(2)
Hehe D.
I have cooked pit BBQ for 25 years. I am a KCBS BBQ judge. I owned a BBQ spot. Please keep in mind most folks do not get the chance to eat fresh of the cooker brisket and ribs absolutllllly the best!!!. That said it is incredibly hard to hold BBQ at this level. So you cannot compare Hole in the wall to Arthurs in Texas. Why because Arthurs slings brisket from the cooker to the prep table and it is gone in 20 minutes and when there out there out for the day maybe 35% of BBQ joints are like this in the south. So without that kind of volume we have to HOLD BBQ in a holding oven. Well ALL FOOD dries and loses some of its freshness. So bottom line if I can get a fairly consistent BBQ that is not TO dry and has good flavor from a BBQ joint I am a happy BBQ judge!!!!! Hole in the Wall does just that!! That is where the 4 star comes from. You cannot supply completion quality BBQ consistently all day from a warmer!! So hence you cannot rate a BBQ place comparing it to competition BBQ! If you want to taste the best. Call and order pick up when it comes off the cooker!!!
(4)
Don J.
Would not recommend their catering. Unprofessional and unable to fulfill simple requests. Food not bad, but nothing we would recommend.
(1)
Bob B.
A good - not outstanding - place to eat BBQ. I almost always have their baby back rib plate and a couple of sides depending on what I'm in the mood for. My g/f always has a bbq'd turley sandwich which she says is very good. The ribs are served dry but the table always has a selection of BBS sauces to choose from which you can add to your meat. Missing: St. Louis style ribs! Why?
(3)
ashley e.
My food was kind of cold and kind of bland. If anyone knows where to find good bbq in this town, please let me know.
(2)
Izzy L.
went in for a late lunch. friendly folks but both the pork ribs and beef brisket were fairly overcooked or left in the holding oven too long. flavor profile was decent. cole slaw and beans lacked much flavor but cornbread was above average. Prices average , overall average
(3)
Stan S.
Driving and looking for a place to eat when I spotted this place. Got the only parking space in the otherwise full, small lot so, knew this had to be a local favorite (it is). Waited to be seated at the hostess station and soon was. The weird thing is she then went back to it to get me a menu and silverware. Other than that one quirk, the staff was extremely friendly, helpful, and quick. I had the special which was a smoked patty bacon cheeseburger. If you REALLY like smokey flavor in your meat, you'll like this burger. For me, it was too much. I prefer it enhance the flavor of the meat not be the flavor. Didn't know you could get meat to taste that much like smoke without liquid smoke! I had the Mac and cheese and potato salad sides and both were very good. Despite the burger experience, I do plan to try the place again to sample the more traditional BBQ meats - which I wish I had this time.
(2)
Auntie J.
This is my fav BBQ when visiting Eugene. Great ribs with several choices of BBQ source. The staff is very pleasant, quick & helpful. Fruit (peach, berry, or apple) crips served hot with scoop of ice cream or brownie sunday perfect way to end our meal.
(5)
Cyan B.
Nice small town, mom and pop eatery. The folks here are very friendly and efficient. I'm addicted to the brisket of beef! The sides are what you'd expect someone's mom to make. Someone who is a very good cook! I've had most of them and they are really a treat. My favorites are the coleslaw and the Texas potatoes! This is one of 2 dine-in restaurants owned by the same people. Also this W 11th branch is the original location, smaller than the Springfield branch but with a great and fun "broken in" atmosphere. Lots of Texas stuff on the walls. Very welcoming! The owners really want you to have a super dinning experience, which is evident by the feedback card at every table. Nothing pretentious about this place just great Texas style BBQ and great fixings.
(5)
Kellie G.
My family and I stopped here as bbq suddenly sounded good we picked the family style dinner. 2 meats brisket and pulled pork.. 2 sides mac cheese and Texas potatoes. ..salad and sweet rolls and corn muffins and OMG brownies for dessert all for a mere 11.99 a person yummy
(5)
Sean G.
Are there for quick dinner last night with a good friend. Impressed by the waitress excellent service and the quality of the corn bread. Incredible. I had the world famous pulled pork sandwich and she brought out 3 different bbq sauces to try my favorite by far was the honey variation my sweet potato fries were excellent and a generous portion needless to say I was stuffed by the time I left for a little over ten dollars what an incredible spot to dine!
(5)
Jen W.
Oh, my. I had tried the Hole in the Wall at Valley River Mall and it was absolutely delicious. So based on that pleasant experience, I figured their other location (on W. 11th) would be comparable. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. I've tried the W. 11th restaurant twice now and the food quality is very poor. The beef patties are so chalked full of artificial smoke flavor that it's unappealing. Both times our hot food arrived at our table ice cold, the fries shriveled and the waitress a bit snippy and unaccommodating. I don't think we'll give this restaurant a third try.
(1)
Jonathan M.
This place is great! The st louis ribs are perfect, fall off the bone, and the spicy bourbon bbq sauce is delicious. Try the fries! Try the strawberry lemonade too!!
(5)
Simon R.
One of the best places to get southern style BBQ in the stater of Oregon! A bit spendy like all BBQ this place is worth every penny. I usually always get the 3 meat platter with Hot Links, Pulled Pork, and the staple in my mind that you always have, the brisket. Sooo good especially if you add the whip sauce. A spicy and insanely flavorful sauce. If you like potatoes you simply cant go wrong with their Texas potatoes as a side and add the mac and cheese. What can I say, I love this place and you would too.
(5)
Benjamin K.
Excellent smoked turkey sandwich and fried okra I liked that they leave adding BBQ sauce to the customer and offer a variety of sauces made onsite.
(4)
Janet M.
When I lived in Eugene my friend and I would trek out here to get barbecue. There aren't a lot of choices in Eugene for that. I liked the pulled pork sandwiches, they were fairy decent, and the smoked turkey, and the sauce, and the sides. I don't know if it's still there but there was an old piano and sometimes there would be someone playing it. Fun. The potato salad kicked butt. I liked all the sides, but especially liked that there was a variety to choose from. I liked the dessert too, probably too much ( corn bread pudding? um, YUM). NO, it's not the world's best barbecue ( this girl's daddy came from Kansas City, and I lived in Austin for a year, so I know what it's supposed to be like, ok) but it's better than adequate. Last time I was down there I had a pulled pork sandwich and it was just the same. It was a decent lunch. If you're on your way to Florence you have to drive right by it, might as well stop in!
(3)
Steve B.
We stopped at Hole in the Wall BBQ saturday night just before closing time. It was our first adventure here so we scoped it out well...I looked to see if the people in the restaurant (and it was packed) looked like they were having fun, and they all did. My friend was checking out the menu that was posted to see what they had that sounded good. My first question was, " Do they have baby backs?" and the answer is No! so that was disappointing...before we could pick something we were whisked off to the last open booth. so yeah, fast service and friendly like others have commented on...it was good to see that. Our server had a good sense of humor (commendable at the end of a busy night) and we had some fun joking back and forth with her. She suggested several items but we went with what we usually get when we go to bbq....ribs for me (st louis style) and brisket for my friend. he thought the brisket was delicious and I felt the same way about the ribs. Only "ding" was the very dry cole slaw...I thought about returning it but we were having fun and the rest of the meal really filled me up so ill just choose something else next time. Great place and seems to be a good spot to take kids too as there was a big table with kids and everyone looked to be enjoying themselves!! :-)
(4)
M K.
This is a great place. Everything that we have had has been excellent, from salads to BBQ. Service is fast and the wait staff is great... they have a sense of humor, they are efficient, and wonderfully friendly. In fact they are consistently the best waitresses I remember. Really, each time we go my wife and I are a bit amazed that the business is able to hire such friendly people. I'm going back on Friday for the fried chicken.
(5)
Andrea W.
The first several times I've eaten here the food was amazing! The ribs were so tender and juicy. Literally fall of the bone! The service is okay. They're nice, but one lady in particular is pretty forgetful. The food always made up for that...not lately though. The ribs have been pretty dry. And the side options have tasted like they were sitting in a warmer. I'm hoping it was just bad luck, and next time I go in its back to what I am used to
(3)
Tim B.
I'm really disappointed that this place didn't offer a hole in the wall where "the men could see it all." One of my favorite waitresses works here. She looks like a middle-age kindergarten teacher with a lovely and unbelievably snarky attitude. The price of admission is worth dealing with her alone. I've eaten here twice, once on a Thursday when they have smoked cheeseburgers. The cheeseburger is delivered ultra-pink, it almost looks raw, but it's dry and not greasy and has a lovely smokey taste. I can't say that I liked it more than a really good grilled or fried burger but the experience shouldn't be missed. I urge you to check out their smoked burgers on Thursdays. Today I had the Prime Rib French Dip which was smoked and lovely. The prime rib was super moist and delicate. I also got a small order of fries which are homemade and delicious. A cornbread muffin of decent, but not spectacular quality, made an appearance. It's not cheap, lunch for two was a whopping $32 for two of the above entrees and two tall glasses of sweet tea which were kept filled constantly. They also have fried chicken which this southerner has missed for quite some time, it's on my list to try. I have nothing overly witty to say on this review because HITW deserves some 'spect. From what I've had here it's well above average and bordering on spectacular. I'm tempted to call this one four stars but cannot bring myself to do it. Five stars for all around awesomeness.
(5)
Nicole D.
Not a fan of this place. The first time we went, the food was ok. The second and third times it was all bone dry, tasteless, and just not what we had before. Definitely had much better and am not impressed. Very inconsistent. Will not be there again.
(2)
Wella A.
The pulled pork smelled wonderful but disappointingly tasted bland unless it was covered in barbeque sauce that was unfortunately too sweet. I enjoyed the chicken more but it was the skin that gave the smoky flavor otherwise I don't think I would've enjoyed it at all. I had to salt the beans, and I ate the green beans because I wanted vegetables, otherwise I would've let the seemingly canned stuff alone. The highlight of my dish was the crunchy coleslaw and the tart potato salad...I should've had more of that.
(3)
Zac H.
It's ok but if you're expecting the real hole in the wall from Seattle you're going to be disappointed. Meat and BBQ sauce isn't nearly as good. It's still edible but it's not the same amazing beef BBQ you get in Seattle. I know it was allowed by the owners, but this place shouldn't be allowed to use the same name.
(3)
Jeb S.
Food is great and service is great.. My fav bbq place in town on my way now for tuesday night meatloaf!
(5)
Heath T.
Disgusting. Absolutely disgusting. The cornbread muffins taste like they were dipped in barbecue sauce. The fries were soggy. The meat was full of fat and so chewy I nearly choked. I will never eat here again and I suggest you avoid.
(1)
Sean S.
What a great BBQ joint! Probably some of the nicest service I've received at a restaurant in a long time. It's rare that you go out to eat and every server in the place wants to make sure you're taken care of, not just the one entitled to the tip. When it came time to order, I went with the plate of pulled pork and ribs with a side of french fries, potato salad and corn muffin. What is BBQ all about? Tender meat and awesome sauce! When the meal was brought out to me, there was no sauce on the plate. I was totally left to my own saucing. One down side here, is the sauces are left on the table and are not served warm, kind of a nit-pick but this does make a difference in some BBQ lovers minds. Of the two sauces available, the first I attempted was nothing special, however the second I had a go at (the spicier of the two) was fantastic. It had just the right amount of kick for my taste buds to do a little dancing. The meat was very tender and totally enjoyable. All in all it was a great experience and I will definitely go back next time I'm craving BBQ. The pricing isn't bad at all for the amount of food you get. Recommended.
(4)
Benjamin S.
This place has a 3 star average? Seriously? I have to assume that's because people in Eugene can't read. This BBQ hotspot has been good for years and will continue to be. If people complain about the food here it's probably because they forgot to take the dip out of their rapidly decaying bottom lip for long enough to enjoy a meal. The BBQ sandwich is amazing, and on Thursdays they do a burger. That burger is the biggest juiciest BBQ burger I've ever encountered, and look at my picture, it's obvious I've encountered a vast multiplicity of them. The staff is sassy and fun. The atmosphere is always outgoing and remarkably clean. The whole place is a success story. If you gave this place less than 4 stars you're probably one of the 300 idiots that camp outside of McDonalds every year for the return of the McRib.
(5)
Anthony R.
It will do in a pinch. I mean, if you're starving or the only other option is Lok Yaun. This is BBQ for White people, (capital W, please). White people who probably think it's quaint to pop into a real life BBQ joint. But this place isn't. The overwhelming flavor profile can be described as Post-Millenial Bland. Everything is DRY as sawdust. The sides are average--so average in fact that you forget what you ate as soon as you walk out the door. I've given Hole in the Wall several tries, mostly because it always wins "Best BBQ" in local polls. This, however, is the same town that considers P.F. Chang's the pinnacle of Chinese cuisine. If you want BBQ, I'd go check out Papa's or even better, BBQ King. I'd even eat Horsehead's mediocre pulled pork before coming here again.
(2)
Clare H.
The first time I ate at this small Eugene gem, it was worth five stars; the second time, it was worth three. So, as a compromise, I'll give it four. The first time, the chicken was moist and beautifully barbequed and mouthwatering when slathered with house sauce. The second time, it was dry and needed lots of sauce just to finish it. The first time, the ribs were coated in a caramelized crust and fell off the bone. The second time, they were overcooked and in need of TLC. Apart from inconsistency of meats, the sides were delicious. Steamed fresh green beans, creamy mac n' cheese, dill potato salad that stole my friend's heart and influenced the purchase of a second portion, moist corn bread muffins, sweet tea in small glass boots, and sweet baked beans made for a lovely evening. Baked apple crisp was actually the first item that was ordered during the second dining experience (a friend's tradition) and while it came in a tiny cup, it was worthy of its description, sliced apples drenched in gooey goodness encased in flaky buttery crust and topped in vanilla ice cream. I will be back in hopes of another first meal experience.
(4)
Matt N.
I didn't really enjoy the BBQ here as much as the reviews had me thinking I would. It was good- but a little overpriced for the flavor and portions (lunch). Service was good- I was the only person in the restaurant when I arrived, so I would have been disappointed had it not been. The sauces were pretty standard. My side dishes were lacking flavor as well- so the sauces definitely helped in that category.
(2)
Tinky R.
Really yummy!!!
(5)
Scott M.
Coming from Texas, let's just say I have eaten a lot of BBQ. This is great food and service. No idea where people rating it low ate. Can't be the same restaurant.
(5)
Howard R.
Hole in the Wall BBQ was a good place for a single person for dinner. Raves to the staff who are friendly and attentive. They almost are hovering... but not quite. I had a 2 meat combo with brisket and pulled pork. The meats were cooked well, but a little lacking on a heavy smoke flavor. The bourbon bbq sauce was a nice touch to compliment them. My sides were the smoked clam chowder (on a Friday night) which was something that I would go back for any time and the texas potatoes which also were a great find. They kept the iced tea topped up, the place was immaculately clean (even the men's room!!) and I paid $16 for dinner. In all not a bad experience. I'll be back.
(3)
Michelle H.
We have gone to the Springfield location twice for dinner about 6 months apart. There are not a lot of BBQ places to choose from, so I will likely return but only when the craving is strong. The service was incredible. Friendly, attentive and fast. This latest visit was a Saturday night and while we waited for about 10 minutes to be seated, once we were settled in our booth we were well cared for. The food tasted very good. They had a nice variety of sides and meats. My husband had the french fries and I was certain they were fried in bacon fat, they were that amazing. Hands down the best fries we had ever eaten. Turns out they blanch the potatoes first before frying and they change their fryer grease weekly (rather than monthly at most places). The insides were creamy and the outside (skins on) were firm without being brittle and had intense flavor. If I were rating just the fries it would be 6 stars. The meats themselves were well prepared, full of smoky flavor without being too dry. Sauce options made sure there was something for everyone's taste. The portion sizes in comparison to price were disappointing. I am a big eater, so I will say that I appreciate a hearty portion. But as a realist, I can say that their prices are too high for what you get. I can see where meat would be spendy and they could offset it by loading up on the sides, salads and bread, but that is not the case here. Sides are served in 1/2cup ramekins. Salads are a side to choose and not included for everyone and the rolls/cornbread basket was paltry and cold. Praise Worthy: Service, flavor Improvement needed: prices/serving sizes
(3)
Teri B.
We've been there twice and the food was tasty, service was great, and the place is clean. It's a little pricey for the portions and it's weird to pay extra for fries or a side with a sandwich, so that's why only 4 stars. I was there with three boys and they all just about licked their plates and did not walk away hungry. Sometimes I think we are so used to over-portioning that we feel ripped off if we can't take half our dinner home in a doggie-bag.
(4)
Lance E.
Ok.....I was in a itch to have BBQ, and me and my buddy settled on Hole In The Wall on West 11th. If I were to appropriately name it for my experience, I would call it "The Hole in My Wallet and Colon BBQ". Lets start with the pluses: 1.Awesome wait staff!! 2.Very clean restaurant! 3.Very clean restroom-this is a big one. 4.The Iced Tea was good. Let's move on with the negatives: 1.The food temperature of both entree's was down right cold. 2.Our original waiter failed to inform us they had run out of the chicken,and the daily hamburger special. 3.The barbecue sauces wer'e dissapointing, and tasted like ketchup.There was no spiciness to the sauce's. 4.I prefer my sauces heated with BBQ, not out of a bottle. 5.What exactly is,the pink mayonaise concoction that they served with the meal? 6.Mediocre drink selection. 7.Hardly any beer's on tap. 8.The decor looked like Oklahoma and New Jersey had a baby out of wedlock. All in all, this was a poor dining experience, and decision, considering the samll mortgage I had to take out to pay for the meal.Split second dining decisions are bad. I think next time, Ill stick with the deli at Dari Mart. "You know the good thing about all those executions in Texas? Fewer Texans!!"--George Carlin
(1)
Cassidy C.
I'll like this place their cornbread muffins are bomb, I like their sides I'm just not a fan of the sauces. But I wont hate, Its bbq, I like bbq so Im prob goin back
(3)
Virgil B.
Wednesday special prime rib French dip was excellent and Chicken and Ribs with the "ask for the special sweet-spicy BBQ sauce" were outstanding. Prices are fair, you'll get plenty to eat all with smiles from everyone there. Great locally owned place.
(5)
Amie G.
I was craving BBQ. Being new to Eugene I had never eaten at this establishment. My stepson informed me that it is a chain restaurant which generally means the quality is lower (in my book anyway) and the food is a bit artificial. We had already arrived so I decided what the heck we'll give it a go. First off, the wait staff was very nice and attentive. We were seated right away and the waitress was very good at making sure we had everything we needed without stopping every 5 seconds to check on us. So that's where the 2 stars come from. Great service is nice, but I expected a quality meal. We ordered the special "Meatloaf Platter with 2 sides" I chose green beans and the Mac n Cheese. The meatloaf was mediocre and I could tell they use very cheap meat. The Mac n Cheese tasted like it had butter flavored Crisco rather than real butter and a bit too much paprika for my tastes, it was quite artificial tasting. The green beans were slightly better than okay, they were cooked properly and I liked that they added a bit of peppers to it. The cornbread muffin was dry, too dry, and they do not serve actual butter, they serve a margarine mix. Obviously I'm not a fan of artificial items. The sauce was okay. For the price of $11.99, the portion was definitely not large enough. Especially since I've read some rave reviews about other bbq places in Eugene that load up the food and have great prices. If you've never had authentic BBQ and you don't care about artificial additives, this place might be for you. As for me, I'll stick to making it myself.
(2)
Carrie A.
I know everyone in town loves Papa's Soul Food Kitchen -- and so do I -- but I just tried Hole in the Wall today, and seriously, the barbecued chicken is the best I've ever had. Oh my god. So good. The garlic fries are also delicious, and my husband was happy with his pulled pork sandwich. That said, I do agree with previous reviewers that it's a bit too expensive, and the atmosphere is nothing special. Still -- try it! Get the chicken!
(4)
Nicholas B.
This place was awesome. Good seasoning. Friendly waitress and very reasonably priced. 5 of us ate for $60. Would definitely eat here again if I was passing through.
(5)
Jean S.
It's okay bar-b-que; but not for what they charge and certainly not for how they've built a reputation. I guess we just don't have any bar-b-que joints around here and have to settle for this place. And don't bother asking for any hot sauce, because what they consider their hotest sauce is mild to say the least. Won't go back.
(2)
Stuart P.
Perfectly adequate bar-b-que if you've never lived within driving (or eating) distance of Memphis. The sauce leaves a great deal to be desired, despite their obvious pride in it. The baked beans are bland, the slaw too crisp. On the plus side, everyone there is real nice.
(2)
W M.
I do better BBQ..just have this goofy job thing that interferes with my ability to give these nice folks a run for their biz. Nice staff, my customers seem to enjoy their visits there but seriously, this is very average BBQ on their best days.
(2)
Mary C.
This place is really good if you are in the mood for some BBQ! The St. Louis kind that starts with a dry rub. You can add BBQ sauce if you want (the sauce is great) but the meat doesn't need it. My favorite side here is the Texas Potatoes!!! SO GOOD! Great place to grub if you are in the mood for some fingerlickin' bbq. The people at the W 11th location are really nice too.
(4)
Henry G.
Love the ambiance(does that word apply to wood paneling?). The pulled pork sandwich was great and I love that there are two kinds of BBQ sauces on the table for me to use at my discretion. Dug this place though a buck cheaper would have been appropriate.
(4)
libby d.
II just ordered from here through Pony Express,and the food was horrible.The ribs were tough,the sides i received were very small portions,it was terrible,wish i could give zero stars,the food was just nasty!
(1)
Eric L.
Walking into this place shocked me. It felt like I was back in the midwest!! The food here is good, but expensive. I got the BBQ Chicken and it was delicious. They roast the chicken so it's all smokey and tender and not saucy. If you want saucy they have a bottle at the table! The texas style potatoes and the sweet cornbread muffins are killer. My friend got the pulled pork sandwich for $6.50 and it did not come with any sides at all. He was still hungry after finishing his sandwich, and he ended up eating my sides and scraps. The waitstaff was really nice and prompt. We ordered our food and it was out within 10 minutes. I think other places are better though for the price you pay. I would change the name of this place to "Hole in the Wallet BBQ".
(2)
Michelle F.
I'm a vegetarian, and my boyfriend (who is not vegetarian) and I are hooked on the potato salad. Yumm!!
(4)
Craig B.
I think it is harder to review your favorite restaurants, or places you frequent on a regular basis. Not that you lose any objectivity, you just have so many experiences to draw from it becomes challenging to focus. Hole in the Wall has been a favorite of mine for a good eight years after a friend introduced me to their food. If you are craving BBQ this is a great place to go. The chicken is always moist and delicious, and the pulled pork or beef brisket sandwiches full of flavor. My favorites include the fresh cut fries, the smoked bacon cheeseburger, and the lone star salad with hot links. I can't remember having a bad meal or poor service experience. It is definitely worth a visit.
(5)
C. C.
Best BBQ for Eugene. The moment I walked in, it felt familiar to Texas, the booths, Texas flags, cowboy gear on the walls, ahhh home. The service is friendly and quick. They take care of you with Southern style hospitality, which is a lot different than Northwest hospitality(if it even exists). As for the food, well it is the best BBQ you will find in Eugene. It's not the same as Texas BBQ, mainly because Texans smoke their meats over pecan wood and you can't get that here. The price is what it is-reasonable but not cheap. You'll pay it if you want to scratch that BBQ itch. The meal portions could be bigger though,
(4)
Sarah A.
Pretty good little place. The food is pretty average and the service is excellent. They have decent meats and sides. Nothing really bad about this place but it's definitely not the best BBQ I've had.
(3)
Meggie W.
The BBQ was pretty good, the service not so much. Prices were standard. Their potato salad was killer; I would go back just for that!
(3)
Amy J.
This place is awesome for their pulled pork sandwich with fries, honestly, that is always what me and my hubby have ordered, it is very well-priced and the portions are comparatively large next to some of their other entrees. The pulled pork is very good, though it does not have much flavor besides the pork on its own, this is not necessarily bad, and I love the sauces, the honey whiskey(the spicy one that is) is my favorite sauce. People have complained about this place a lot on here I see, but since I moved to Salem, I appreciate Hole in the Wall even more. Hands down, they are the best BBQ I have had in the Valley so far. Salem's BBQ fare is sorely lacking, we went to Adam's Rib, hearing it was the best BBQ around, and if that's true, I'd like to taste the worst in Salem... lol I always enjoyed Hole in the Wall though, especially their potato salad which is one of the best potato salads I have ever had, I am a potato salad fanatic, I have had potato salads from all over the country and made many myself, and their's is absolutely one of my favorites, it is very creamy and has a nice subtle flavor, not too over powering, though unfortunately, I am pretty sure it has a milk product in it, so I cannot eat it anymore, as I now know I have a milk allergy. My husbands father who used to live in the south and ate BBQ on a daily basis really enjoys it as well, so that says something to me, though others here claim to have done the same and don't like it, so I suppose it is a matter of taste. The smoked ham, beef brisket, and turkey legs are all great, but other than the turkey leg, the portions are definitely too small for the price, but I don't mind as all of the food is high quality and the unlimited strawberry lemonade is great as well as the sweet tea, and the service is always amazing whether in the Springfield store or the Eugene one, they are always friendly and often very helpful, it is the best and most consistent service I have ever had at a restaurant besides a restaurant in Flagstaff, Arizona called "Oregano's", and they are not BBQ. lol For me, the servuce at a restaurant is just as big of a draw, if not more so than the food, if the service is consistently poor, I will not go back, no matter how much I enjoy the food. God Bless ~Amy
(4)
Caroline R.
Last night, after a long day of work and school, I was in no mood to cook dinner. My sweetie was craving BBQ and I wasn't craving something quite as gastro-intestinally devastating as Papa's Soul Food (don't get me wrong... they are THE PLACE for delicious-albeit-artery-clogging goods in town...) so we decided to go to Hole in the Wall. While they aren't quite as good as Papa's (they don't have as much variety or fried chicken) the service was excellent, the food was really good, and everything got to us super fast. The atmosphere was relaxed and fun, the smoked chicken was juicy and tender, and the Texan potatoes are off the hook. Also their Sonoran Ranch is TOTALLY good and the side-salad is pretty delicious. All in all, I recommend this place if you are really feeling barbeque but don't want to cook it yourself and don't want something that is gonna leave you with the 'itis.
(3)
billy r.
Best BBQ in Eugene? I hope not. The meats are cooked really well but have little flavor. The sides are only okay, very basic. The chili was pretty darn good, though. Other reviewers have pointed out the high prices and the small portions. They are very correct. Way too little meat (mediocre as it is) for way too much money. This is very very basic BBQ, it would not last a week in any of the BBQ meccas that are mentioned in other reviews. Obviously Oregon is no Austin or Memphis, but come on. I Live in Cottage Grove and work near Vaneta so if I want BBQ, you will catch me at Tony's in Vaneta or Big Stuff in CG. Not here again. Oh, I almost forgot many reviews speak to the great service... Well if your idea of great service is being interrupted every forty seconds to ask if everything is okay, then you will love our waitress. I would take a bite of brisket and a bite of a side and there she was. How about letting me eat a little more and figuring out if everything is okay. I don't mind attentive wait staff, but she bordered on "stalker status." meh...
(2)
Jando S.
The popularity of Hole In the Wall has gotten to be out of hand nowadays. There was a near 30 min wait on a Sunday afternoon and some of the prices have gone up. The food is still stellar, with the awesome cheesy potatoes, pulled pork, and baby back ribs. Service has gone down a slight notch, with a lot of college waitstaff who didn't seem to care much about our group. There was some overcharging initially which resulted in a near hole in the wallet, but it seems the name Hole In The Wall is just an oxymoron now.
(3)
Brandon H.
What can I say, I'm a regular. We're in here once a week, every week, and have been for a couple years. That should say something.
(5)
Betsy F.
I've only eaten there 2 times but I feel like their food is way to expensive for the portions you get. I was SHOCKED when I paid $15 for maybe 3oz of pulled pork. Very little beer options and OH GOD the place looks tacky. But for BBQ places in eugene it's slim pickings.
(2)
Dennis S.
Best BBQ in Eugene, year in and year out. Most places over time seem to go downhill a little. Hole in the Wall actually has gotten better. I am a Certified BBQ Judge and have been involved in bbq competitions up and down the west coast. Hole in the Wall consistantly turns out great Q. Acutally the best in town is in my backyard, but I only do that for friends. Prices are reasonable considering cost of meat and overhead.
(5)
Melinda H.
Hole in the Wall is a long time consistent favorite of my husband and I. My favorite order is pulled pork, texas potatoes & a green salad. If the regular BBQ sauce offerings aren't spicy enough for you request the extra spicy stuff with your order. The staff is super friendly and the service is always fast. Get there early if you want to be sure a specific menu item is available. We also love the breakfast at the Springfield restaurant.
(5)
Daisy S.
Stopped for dinner here on our way to Portland. Since I was in my BBQ mood, this place caught my eyes. We were there on a Friday and the wait was about 15 minutes. So, sat down... the service was friendly. We ordered a plate that has two kind of meats and two side dishes. We had the pulled pork and ribs. We shared. It was pretty big portion. The BBQ is pretty good, but I think, I imagined the taste differently. I wanted something BBQ-ie but sweeter. BUT, I didn't say that it wasn't good. The meat are so tender that we didn't even need a knife to cut them. The cheesy potatoes are nearly awesome. The beans.. could have been better though. I just didn't think it was cooked enough. It was rather hard. The price is decent, I wish it could be cheaper though... considering it is in a small town in Oregon.
(3)
Dominic I.
So this is my first bad review, i don't really like to write them because i work in the service industry and I sometimes get frustrated with what some people have to say about where i work, especially if they make invalid assumptions about pour size, product quality, etc. Let me start by saying that this review is based primarily on food, i ordered take out. The service staff seemed nice, had i eating there, it may have made my experience better. I ordered the "1/4 chicken and ribs with two sides" I was assuming that the chicken was a grilled barbecued chicken, which i am a big fan of, and although i like a lot of what "papa's soul food" has to offer, I'm not very fond of there BBQ chicken, so I've been aching for some. I did however see that the ribs were dry rub, which i excited to try, a previous job of mine made awesome dry rub ribs. For sides I got Mac and cheese and coleslaw. The meal all together was $15, which is a little steep, but i realized it sounded like it was going to be well worth it. Well it really wasn't worth it at all... I was asked if i wanted dark or light meat, i asked for dark, i feel it is more tender and has more flavor. Lets just say i was somewhat shocked when i got home and opened the to go container. An odd smell immediately exited the plastic container, and it no shit smelled like cat food. There i find a chicken hind, skin on, than looked like it was seasoned, thrown in the oven for way to long and than moved to a heat lamp for way too long. It was in no way appetizing. The Barbecue sauce came separate in a little sauce container. The ribs on the other hand LOOKED like it had some hope, and when i bit into to it all hope was lost to the driest, saddest, waist of meat I've ever seen a restaurant served. Barbecue ribs are supposed to be tasty. This was not tasty. The mac and cheese looked like the sauce was made from the crayola crayon, and it tasted very off; almost artificial and a strange consistency. If I'm going to eat artificial tasting mac and cheese I'll just stick to Kraft. The coleslaw was about the only thing in the whole meal that was somewhat enjoyable, but how had is it to mess up a 6 ingredient salad. It was one of the few experiences that i seriously considered calling them up and telling them what a disappointment it was, but i dont expect anything from it. I just want people to get a heads up and not be too surprised if you have a similar food experience. At least be cheap if your food is gonna taste like that.
(1)
Truth B.
Good food. Little overpriced and the portions vary, I think, depending on when you go.
(3)
Krysta H.
Wow! I just had the brisket which was so good! So were the beans, bbq sauce rocks and the waiter was super cute. Ill be back! Mmmmm
(4)
Nick A.
Loved the food and loved the service, I would totally recommend this place!! They don't mask the meat with sauce!! I will be back for prime rib night!!
(5)
Brad K.
We went there for lunch at the recommendation of local friends. The place was crowded so we ended up at a long table. I had their original BBQ sandwich. The fancy bun fell apart making it hard to eat. The meat was not as tender as I would have liked. I liked their "Texas" cheesy potatoes, but my lunch only came with a little scoop of potatoes. Overall its a good and not expensive place for lunch. Be careful of the driveway. It's just off of a busy corner that looks like you can use a left turn lane but you really can't. Going west on 11th street go past, turn around, and come back going east. There is overflow parking down the side of the building.
(4)
Dan F.
Grabbed some lunch here with a customer. I have been here several times over the years and it is very consistent. Service is always fast and friendly. Food is always tasty. Not my favorite BBQ shop in OR, but I wouldn't pass it by either. Give it a try.
(4)
James C.
Fried Pickles and a Pulled Pork Sandwich (w/ potato salad) and some delicious strawberry lemonade is all I need for a hearty lunch.
(5)
JP B.
BEST FRENCH DIP EVER!!! Also Had brisket sandwich -- delicious! Fried pickles were yummy. Staff is very helpful Nd friendly! We will be back!!!
(5)
Brad B.
Hole in the Wall is a great little gem. We were down from Vancouver to grab something in Eugene and decided to grab a bite to eat here. Glad we did. Try the pulled pork platter with their fries. Good food and even better service!
(5)
Krista H.
My roommate and I ate at Hole in the Wall and as usual we left happy. Their food is amazing. Besides the incredible ribs I highly recommend their pulled pork and beef brisket. As for sides I recommend the Texas cheesy potatoes and the fries. Make sure to ask for the fry sauce because it is addictive. Tonight we were in a hurry and at first the service started out a bit slow. We politely let our waitress know that we were needing to leave by a certain time and she served us accordingly. Kudos to her for being very attentive and getting us out the door on time.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Brad K.
We went there for lunch at the recommendation of local friends. The place was crowded so we ended up at a long table. I had their original BBQ sandwich. The fancy bun fell apart making it hard to eat. The meat was not as tender as I would have liked. I liked their "Texas" cheesy potatoes, but my lunch only came with a little scoop of potatoes. Overall its a good and not expensive place for lunch. Be careful of the driveway. It's just off of a busy corner that looks like you can use a left turn lane but you really can't. Going west on 11th street go past, turn around, and come back going east. There is overflow parking down the side of the building.
(4)Dan F.
Grabbed some lunch here with a customer. I have been here several times over the years and it is very consistent. Service is always fast and friendly. Food is always tasty. Not my favorite BBQ shop in OR, but I wouldn't pass it by either. Give it a try.
(4)James C.
Fried Pickles and a Pulled Pork Sandwich (w/ potato salad) and some delicious strawberry lemonade is all I need for a hearty lunch.
(5)Sean S.
What a great BBQ joint! Probably some of the nicest service I've received at a restaurant in a long time. It's rare that you go out to eat and every server in the place wants to make sure you're taken care of, not just the one entitled to the tip. When it came time to order, I went with the plate of pulled pork and ribs with a side of french fries, potato salad and corn muffin. What is BBQ all about? Tender meat and awesome sauce! When the meal was brought out to me, there was no sauce on the plate. I was totally left to my own saucing. One down side here, is the sauces are left on the table and are not served warm, kind of a nit-pick but this does make a difference in some BBQ lovers minds. Of the two sauces available, the first I attempted was nothing special, however the second I had a go at (the spicier of the two) was fantastic. It had just the right amount of kick for my taste buds to do a little dancing. The meat was very tender and totally enjoyable. All in all it was a great experience and I will definitely go back next time I'm craving BBQ. The pricing isn't bad at all for the amount of food you get. Recommended.
(4)Meggie W.
The BBQ was pretty good, the service not so much. Prices were standard. Their potato salad was killer; I would go back just for that!
(3)billy r.
Best BBQ in Eugene? I hope not. The meats are cooked really well but have little flavor. The sides are only okay, very basic. The chili was pretty darn good, though. Other reviewers have pointed out the high prices and the small portions. They are very correct. Way too little meat (mediocre as it is) for way too much money. This is very very basic BBQ, it would not last a week in any of the BBQ meccas that are mentioned in other reviews. Obviously Oregon is no Austin or Memphis, but come on. I Live in Cottage Grove and work near Vaneta so if I want BBQ, you will catch me at Tony's in Vaneta or Big Stuff in CG. Not here again. Oh, I almost forgot many reviews speak to the great service... Well if your idea of great service is being interrupted every forty seconds to ask if everything is okay, then you will love our waitress. I would take a bite of brisket and a bite of a side and there she was. How about letting me eat a little more and figuring out if everything is okay. I don't mind attentive wait staff, but she bordered on "stalker status." meh...
(2)Jando S.
The popularity of Hole In the Wall has gotten to be out of hand nowadays. There was a near 30 min wait on a Sunday afternoon and some of the prices have gone up. The food is still stellar, with the awesome cheesy potatoes, pulled pork, and baby back ribs. Service has gone down a slight notch, with a lot of college waitstaff who didn't seem to care much about our group. There was some overcharging initially which resulted in a near hole in the wallet, but it seems the name Hole In The Wall is just an oxymoron now.
(3)Brandon H.
What can I say, I'm a regular. We're in here once a week, every week, and have been for a couple years. That should say something.
(5)Betsy F.
I've only eaten there 2 times but I feel like their food is way to expensive for the portions you get. I was SHOCKED when I paid $15 for maybe 3oz of pulled pork. Very little beer options and OH GOD the place looks tacky. But for BBQ places in eugene it's slim pickings.
(2)Dennis S.
Best BBQ in Eugene, year in and year out. Most places over time seem to go downhill a little. Hole in the Wall actually has gotten better. I am a Certified BBQ Judge and have been involved in bbq competitions up and down the west coast. Hole in the Wall consistantly turns out great Q. Acutally the best in town is in my backyard, but I only do that for friends. Prices are reasonable considering cost of meat and overhead.
(5)Melinda H.
Hole in the Wall is a long time consistent favorite of my husband and I. My favorite order is pulled pork, texas potatoes & a green salad. If the regular BBQ sauce offerings aren't spicy enough for you request the extra spicy stuff with your order. The staff is super friendly and the service is always fast. Get there early if you want to be sure a specific menu item is available. We also love the breakfast at the Springfield restaurant.
(5)Sarah A.
Pretty good little place. The food is pretty average and the service is excellent. They have decent meats and sides. Nothing really bad about this place but it's definitely not the best BBQ I've had.
(3)Daisy S.
Stopped for dinner here on our way to Portland. Since I was in my BBQ mood, this place caught my eyes. We were there on a Friday and the wait was about 15 minutes. So, sat down... the service was friendly. We ordered a plate that has two kind of meats and two side dishes. We had the pulled pork and ribs. We shared. It was pretty big portion. The BBQ is pretty good, but I think, I imagined the taste differently. I wanted something BBQ-ie but sweeter. BUT, I didn't say that it wasn't good. The meat are so tender that we didn't even need a knife to cut them. The cheesy potatoes are nearly awesome. The beans.. could have been better though. I just didn't think it was cooked enough. It was rather hard. The price is decent, I wish it could be cheaper though... considering it is in a small town in Oregon.
(3)Andrew D.
We have loved Hole in the Wall for years. It's nice that they have this great location now in Springfield. Good service, great food and its family friendly. Very nice place! You must try the breakfast! The Hot wings are superb! The Turkey is as good as it gets and the Sunday Brunch is very nice.
(4)K. R.
I wasn't a fan at all. The server was very nice and prompt with our drinks and food. The food was greasy and barely above warm. I'll stick to my own BBQ.
(2)Barney P.
Auhhh. So, went there for lunch the other day. It was the lunch rush, packed .. Waiting line going outside .. Only two waitresses... Ordered the burger just to mix it up. Very dry. Added sauce to it, but ugh. Ordered a Pepsi, got some kind of cherry coke? Told the " wise cracking" waitress who said, " cherry coke,,, no way, that's Pepsi ". Ohh k, so make a scene over a drink or let it go? Cooler heads prevailed , plus we were in a bit of a hurry. Wasn't real happy with the food The time before that, we went and they were out of chicken. And then ran out of Pork! Huh? Lots of BBQ joints popping up in town. They need to step up their game if they want to stay relevant.
(2)Hehe D.
I have cooked pit BBQ for 25 years. I am a KCBS BBQ judge. I owned a BBQ spot. Please keep in mind most folks do not get the chance to eat fresh of the cooker brisket and ribs absolutllllly the best!!!. That said it is incredibly hard to hold BBQ at this level. So you cannot compare Hole in the wall to Arthurs in Texas. Why because Arthurs slings brisket from the cooker to the prep table and it is gone in 20 minutes and when there out there out for the day maybe 35% of BBQ joints are like this in the south. So without that kind of volume we have to HOLD BBQ in a holding oven. Well ALL FOOD dries and loses some of its freshness. So bottom line if I can get a fairly consistent BBQ that is not TO dry and has good flavor from a BBQ joint I am a happy BBQ judge!!!!! Hole in the Wall does just that!! That is where the 4 star comes from. You cannot supply completion quality BBQ consistently all day from a warmer!! So hence you cannot rate a BBQ place comparing it to competition BBQ! If you want to taste the best. Call and order pick up when it comes off the cooker!!!
(4)Don J.
Would not recommend their catering. Unprofessional and unable to fulfill simple requests. Food not bad, but nothing we would recommend.
(1)Bob B.
A good - not outstanding - place to eat BBQ. I almost always have their baby back rib plate and a couple of sides depending on what I'm in the mood for. My g/f always has a bbq'd turley sandwich which she says is very good. The ribs are served dry but the table always has a selection of BBS sauces to choose from which you can add to your meat. Missing: St. Louis style ribs! Why?
(3)Amy J.
This place is awesome for their pulled pork sandwich with fries, honestly, that is always what me and my hubby have ordered, it is very well-priced and the portions are comparatively large next to some of their other entrees. The pulled pork is very good, though it does not have much flavor besides the pork on its own, this is not necessarily bad, and I love the sauces, the honey whiskey(the spicy one that is) is my favorite sauce. People have complained about this place a lot on here I see, but since I moved to Salem, I appreciate Hole in the Wall even more. Hands down, they are the best BBQ I have had in the Valley so far. Salem's BBQ fare is sorely lacking, we went to Adam's Rib, hearing it was the best BBQ around, and if that's true, I'd like to taste the worst in Salem... lol I always enjoyed Hole in the Wall though, especially their potato salad which is one of the best potato salads I have ever had, I am a potato salad fanatic, I have had potato salads from all over the country and made many myself, and their's is absolutely one of my favorites, it is very creamy and has a nice subtle flavor, not too over powering, though unfortunately, I am pretty sure it has a milk product in it, so I cannot eat it anymore, as I now know I have a milk allergy. My husbands father who used to live in the south and ate BBQ on a daily basis really enjoys it as well, so that says something to me, though others here claim to have done the same and don't like it, so I suppose it is a matter of taste. The smoked ham, beef brisket, and turkey legs are all great, but other than the turkey leg, the portions are definitely too small for the price, but I don't mind as all of the food is high quality and the unlimited strawberry lemonade is great as well as the sweet tea, and the service is always amazing whether in the Springfield store or the Eugene one, they are always friendly and often very helpful, it is the best and most consistent service I have ever had at a restaurant besides a restaurant in Flagstaff, Arizona called "Oregano's", and they are not BBQ. lol For me, the servuce at a restaurant is just as big of a draw, if not more so than the food, if the service is consistently poor, I will not go back, no matter how much I enjoy the food. God Bless ~Amy
(4)Krysta H.
Wow! I just had the brisket which was so good! So were the beans, bbq sauce rocks and the waiter was super cute. Ill be back! Mmmmm
(4)Dominic I.
So this is my first bad review, i don't really like to write them because i work in the service industry and I sometimes get frustrated with what some people have to say about where i work, especially if they make invalid assumptions about pour size, product quality, etc. Let me start by saying that this review is based primarily on food, i ordered take out. The service staff seemed nice, had i eating there, it may have made my experience better. I ordered the "1/4 chicken and ribs with two sides" I was assuming that the chicken was a grilled barbecued chicken, which i am a big fan of, and although i like a lot of what "papa's soul food" has to offer, I'm not very fond of there BBQ chicken, so I've been aching for some. I did however see that the ribs were dry rub, which i excited to try, a previous job of mine made awesome dry rub ribs. For sides I got Mac and cheese and coleslaw. The meal all together was $15, which is a little steep, but i realized it sounded like it was going to be well worth it. Well it really wasn't worth it at all... I was asked if i wanted dark or light meat, i asked for dark, i feel it is more tender and has more flavor. Lets just say i was somewhat shocked when i got home and opened the to go container. An odd smell immediately exited the plastic container, and it no shit smelled like cat food. There i find a chicken hind, skin on, than looked like it was seasoned, thrown in the oven for way to long and than moved to a heat lamp for way too long. It was in no way appetizing. The Barbecue sauce came separate in a little sauce container. The ribs on the other hand LOOKED like it had some hope, and when i bit into to it all hope was lost to the driest, saddest, waist of meat I've ever seen a restaurant served. Barbecue ribs are supposed to be tasty. This was not tasty. The mac and cheese looked like the sauce was made from the crayola crayon, and it tasted very off; almost artificial and a strange consistency. If I'm going to eat artificial tasting mac and cheese I'll just stick to Kraft. The coleslaw was about the only thing in the whole meal that was somewhat enjoyable, but how had is it to mess up a 6 ingredient salad. It was one of the few experiences that i seriously considered calling them up and telling them what a disappointment it was, but i dont expect anything from it. I just want people to get a heads up and not be too surprised if you have a similar food experience. At least be cheap if your food is gonna taste like that.
(1)Truth B.
Good food. Little overpriced and the portions vary, I think, depending on when you go.
(3)JP B.
BEST FRENCH DIP EVER!!! Also Had brisket sandwich -- delicious! Fried pickles were yummy. Staff is very helpful Nd friendly! We will be back!!!
(5)Brad B.
Hole in the Wall is a great little gem. We were down from Vancouver to grab something in Eugene and decided to grab a bite to eat here. Glad we did. Try the pulled pork platter with their fries. Good food and even better service!
(5)Krista H.
My roommate and I ate at Hole in the Wall and as usual we left happy. Their food is amazing. Besides the incredible ribs I highly recommend their pulled pork and beef brisket. As for sides I recommend the Texas cheesy potatoes and the fries. Make sure to ask for the fry sauce because it is addictive. Tonight we were in a hurry and at first the service started out a bit slow. We politely let our waitress know that we were needing to leave by a certain time and she served us accordingly. Kudos to her for being very attentive and getting us out the door on time.
(5)Nick A.
Loved the food and loved the service, I would totally recommend this place!! They don't mask the meat with sauce!! I will be back for prime rib night!!
(5)Izzy L.
went in for a late lunch. friendly folks but both the pork ribs and beef brisket were fairly overcooked or left in the holding oven too long. flavor profile was decent. cole slaw and beans lacked much flavor but cornbread was above average. Prices average , overall average
(3)Stan S.
Driving and looking for a place to eat when I spotted this place. Got the only parking space in the otherwise full, small lot so, knew this had to be a local favorite (it is). Waited to be seated at the hostess station and soon was. The weird thing is she then went back to it to get me a menu and silverware. Other than that one quirk, the staff was extremely friendly, helpful, and quick. I had the special which was a smoked patty bacon cheeseburger. If you REALLY like smokey flavor in your meat, you'll like this burger. For me, it was too much. I prefer it enhance the flavor of the meat not be the flavor. Didn't know you could get meat to taste that much like smoke without liquid smoke! I had the Mac and cheese and potato salad sides and both were very good. Despite the burger experience, I do plan to try the place again to sample the more traditional BBQ meats - which I wish I had this time.
(2)Cyan B.
Nice small town, mom and pop eatery. The folks here are very friendly and efficient. I'm addicted to the brisket of beef! The sides are what you'd expect someone's mom to make. Someone who is a very good cook! I've had most of them and they are really a treat. My favorites are the coleslaw and the Texas potatoes! This is one of 2 dine-in restaurants owned by the same people. Also this W 11th branch is the original location, smaller than the Springfield branch but with a great and fun "broken in" atmosphere. Lots of Texas stuff on the walls. Very welcoming! The owners really want you to have a super dinning experience, which is evident by the feedback card at every table. Nothing pretentious about this place just great Texas style BBQ and great fixings.
(5)Kellie G.
My family and I stopped here as bbq suddenly sounded good we picked the family style dinner. 2 meats brisket and pulled pork.. 2 sides mac cheese and Texas potatoes. ..salad and sweet rolls and corn muffins and OMG brownies for dessert all for a mere 11.99 a person yummy
(5)Sean G.
Are there for quick dinner last night with a good friend. Impressed by the waitress excellent service and the quality of the corn bread. Incredible. I had the world famous pulled pork sandwich and she brought out 3 different bbq sauces to try my favorite by far was the honey variation my sweet potato fries were excellent and a generous portion needless to say I was stuffed by the time I left for a little over ten dollars what an incredible spot to dine!
(5)Jen W.
Oh, my. I had tried the Hole in the Wall at Valley River Mall and it was absolutely delicious. So based on that pleasant experience, I figured their other location (on W. 11th) would be comparable. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. I've tried the W. 11th restaurant twice now and the food quality is very poor. The beef patties are so chalked full of artificial smoke flavor that it's unappealing. Both times our hot food arrived at our table ice cold, the fries shriveled and the waitress a bit snippy and unaccommodating. I don't think we'll give this restaurant a third try.
(1)Jonathan M.
This place is great! The st louis ribs are perfect, fall off the bone, and the spicy bourbon bbq sauce is delicious. Try the fries! Try the strawberry lemonade too!!
(5)Simon R.
One of the best places to get southern style BBQ in the stater of Oregon! A bit spendy like all BBQ this place is worth every penny. I usually always get the 3 meat platter with Hot Links, Pulled Pork, and the staple in my mind that you always have, the brisket. Sooo good especially if you add the whip sauce. A spicy and insanely flavorful sauce. If you like potatoes you simply cant go wrong with their Texas potatoes as a side and add the mac and cheese. What can I say, I love this place and you would too.
(5)Benjamin K.
Excellent smoked turkey sandwich and fried okra I liked that they leave adding BBQ sauce to the customer and offer a variety of sauces made onsite.
(4)Janet M.
When I lived in Eugene my friend and I would trek out here to get barbecue. There aren't a lot of choices in Eugene for that. I liked the pulled pork sandwiches, they were fairy decent, and the smoked turkey, and the sauce, and the sides. I don't know if it's still there but there was an old piano and sometimes there would be someone playing it. Fun. The potato salad kicked butt. I liked all the sides, but especially liked that there was a variety to choose from. I liked the dessert too, probably too much ( corn bread pudding? um, YUM). NO, it's not the world's best barbecue ( this girl's daddy came from Kansas City, and I lived in Austin for a year, so I know what it's supposed to be like, ok) but it's better than adequate. Last time I was down there I had a pulled pork sandwich and it was just the same. It was a decent lunch. If you're on your way to Florence you have to drive right by it, might as well stop in!
(3)Steve B.
We stopped at Hole in the Wall BBQ saturday night just before closing time. It was our first adventure here so we scoped it out well...I looked to see if the people in the restaurant (and it was packed) looked like they were having fun, and they all did. My friend was checking out the menu that was posted to see what they had that sounded good. My first question was, " Do they have baby backs?" and the answer is No! so that was disappointing...before we could pick something we were whisked off to the last open booth. so yeah, fast service and friendly like others have commented on...it was good to see that. Our server had a good sense of humor (commendable at the end of a busy night) and we had some fun joking back and forth with her. She suggested several items but we went with what we usually get when we go to bbq....ribs for me (st louis style) and brisket for my friend. he thought the brisket was delicious and I felt the same way about the ribs. Only "ding" was the very dry cole slaw...I thought about returning it but we were having fun and the rest of the meal really filled me up so ill just choose something else next time. Great place and seems to be a good spot to take kids too as there was a big table with kids and everyone looked to be enjoying themselves!! :-)
(4)M K.
This is a great place. Everything that we have had has been excellent, from salads to BBQ. Service is fast and the wait staff is great... they have a sense of humor, they are efficient, and wonderfully friendly. In fact they are consistently the best waitresses I remember. Really, each time we go my wife and I are a bit amazed that the business is able to hire such friendly people. I'm going back on Friday for the fried chicken.
(5)Andrea W.
The first several times I've eaten here the food was amazing! The ribs were so tender and juicy. Literally fall of the bone! The service is okay. They're nice, but one lady in particular is pretty forgetful. The food always made up for that...not lately though. The ribs have been pretty dry. And the side options have tasted like they were sitting in a warmer. I'm hoping it was just bad luck, and next time I go in its back to what I am used to
(3)Auntie J.
This is my fav BBQ when visiting Eugene. Great ribs with several choices of BBQ source. The staff is very pleasant, quick & helpful. Fruit (peach, berry, or apple) crips served hot with scoop of ice cream or brownie sunday perfect way to end our meal.
(5)Tim B.
I'm really disappointed that this place didn't offer a hole in the wall where "the men could see it all." One of my favorite waitresses works here. She looks like a middle-age kindergarten teacher with a lovely and unbelievably snarky attitude. The price of admission is worth dealing with her alone. I've eaten here twice, once on a Thursday when they have smoked cheeseburgers. The cheeseburger is delivered ultra-pink, it almost looks raw, but it's dry and not greasy and has a lovely smokey taste. I can't say that I liked it more than a really good grilled or fried burger but the experience shouldn't be missed. I urge you to check out their smoked burgers on Thursdays. Today I had the Prime Rib French Dip which was smoked and lovely. The prime rib was super moist and delicate. I also got a small order of fries which are homemade and delicious. A cornbread muffin of decent, but not spectacular quality, made an appearance. It's not cheap, lunch for two was a whopping $32 for two of the above entrees and two tall glasses of sweet tea which were kept filled constantly. They also have fried chicken which this southerner has missed for quite some time, it's on my list to try. I have nothing overly witty to say on this review because HITW deserves some 'spect. From what I've had here it's well above average and bordering on spectacular. I'm tempted to call this one four stars but cannot bring myself to do it. Five stars for all around awesomeness.
(5)Nicole D.
Not a fan of this place. The first time we went, the food was ok. The second and third times it was all bone dry, tasteless, and just not what we had before. Definitely had much better and am not impressed. Very inconsistent. Will not be there again.
(2)Wella A.
The pulled pork smelled wonderful but disappointingly tasted bland unless it was covered in barbeque sauce that was unfortunately too sweet. I enjoyed the chicken more but it was the skin that gave the smoky flavor otherwise I don't think I would've enjoyed it at all. I had to salt the beans, and I ate the green beans because I wanted vegetables, otherwise I would've let the seemingly canned stuff alone. The highlight of my dish was the crunchy coleslaw and the tart potato salad...I should've had more of that.
(3)Zac H.
It's ok but if you're expecting the real hole in the wall from Seattle you're going to be disappointed. Meat and BBQ sauce isn't nearly as good. It's still edible but it's not the same amazing beef BBQ you get in Seattle. I know it was allowed by the owners, but this place shouldn't be allowed to use the same name.
(3)Jeb S.
Food is great and service is great.. My fav bbq place in town on my way now for tuesday night meatloaf!
(5)Heath T.
Disgusting. Absolutely disgusting. The cornbread muffins taste like they were dipped in barbecue sauce. The fries were soggy. The meat was full of fat and so chewy I nearly choked. I will never eat here again and I suggest you avoid.
(1)Benjamin S.
This place has a 3 star average? Seriously? I have to assume that's because people in Eugene can't read. This BBQ hotspot has been good for years and will continue to be. If people complain about the food here it's probably because they forgot to take the dip out of their rapidly decaying bottom lip for long enough to enjoy a meal. The BBQ sandwich is amazing, and on Thursdays they do a burger. That burger is the biggest juiciest BBQ burger I've ever encountered, and look at my picture, it's obvious I've encountered a vast multiplicity of them. The staff is sassy and fun. The atmosphere is always outgoing and remarkably clean. The whole place is a success story. If you gave this place less than 4 stars you're probably one of the 300 idiots that camp outside of McDonalds every year for the return of the McRib.
(5)ashley e.
My food was kind of cold and kind of bland. If anyone knows where to find good bbq in this town, please let me know.
(2)Anthony R.
It will do in a pinch. I mean, if you're starving or the only other option is Lok Yaun. This is BBQ for White people, (capital W, please). White people who probably think it's quaint to pop into a real life BBQ joint. But this place isn't. The overwhelming flavor profile can be described as Post-Millenial Bland. Everything is DRY as sawdust. The sides are average--so average in fact that you forget what you ate as soon as you walk out the door. I've given Hole in the Wall several tries, mostly because it always wins "Best BBQ" in local polls. This, however, is the same town that considers P.F. Chang's the pinnacle of Chinese cuisine. If you want BBQ, I'd go check out Papa's or even better, BBQ King. I'd even eat Horsehead's mediocre pulled pork before coming here again.
(2)Clare H.
The first time I ate at this small Eugene gem, it was worth five stars; the second time, it was worth three. So, as a compromise, I'll give it four. The first time, the chicken was moist and beautifully barbequed and mouthwatering when slathered with house sauce. The second time, it was dry and needed lots of sauce just to finish it. The first time, the ribs were coated in a caramelized crust and fell off the bone. The second time, they were overcooked and in need of TLC. Apart from inconsistency of meats, the sides were delicious. Steamed fresh green beans, creamy mac n' cheese, dill potato salad that stole my friend's heart and influenced the purchase of a second portion, moist corn bread muffins, sweet tea in small glass boots, and sweet baked beans made for a lovely evening. Baked apple crisp was actually the first item that was ordered during the second dining experience (a friend's tradition) and while it came in a tiny cup, it was worthy of its description, sliced apples drenched in gooey goodness encased in flaky buttery crust and topped in vanilla ice cream. I will be back in hopes of another first meal experience.
(4)Scott M.
Coming from Texas, let's just say I have eaten a lot of BBQ. This is great food and service. No idea where people rating it low ate. Can't be the same restaurant.
(5)Matt N.
I didn't really enjoy the BBQ here as much as the reviews had me thinking I would. It was good- but a little overpriced for the flavor and portions (lunch). Service was good- I was the only person in the restaurant when I arrived, so I would have been disappointed had it not been. The sauces were pretty standard. My side dishes were lacking flavor as well- so the sauces definitely helped in that category.
(2)Tinky R.
Really yummy!!!
(5)Michelle H.
We have gone to the Springfield location twice for dinner about 6 months apart. There are not a lot of BBQ places to choose from, so I will likely return but only when the craving is strong. The service was incredible. Friendly, attentive and fast. This latest visit was a Saturday night and while we waited for about 10 minutes to be seated, once we were settled in our booth we were well cared for. The food tasted very good. They had a nice variety of sides and meats. My husband had the french fries and I was certain they were fried in bacon fat, they were that amazing. Hands down the best fries we had ever eaten. Turns out they blanch the potatoes first before frying and they change their fryer grease weekly (rather than monthly at most places). The insides were creamy and the outside (skins on) were firm without being brittle and had intense flavor. If I were rating just the fries it would be 6 stars. The meats themselves were well prepared, full of smoky flavor without being too dry. Sauce options made sure there was something for everyone's taste. The portion sizes in comparison to price were disappointing. I am a big eater, so I will say that I appreciate a hearty portion. But as a realist, I can say that their prices are too high for what you get. I can see where meat would be spendy and they could offset it by loading up on the sides, salads and bread, but that is not the case here. Sides are served in 1/2cup ramekins. Salads are a side to choose and not included for everyone and the rolls/cornbread basket was paltry and cold. Praise Worthy: Service, flavor Improvement needed: prices/serving sizes
(3)Howard R.
Hole in the Wall BBQ was a good place for a single person for dinner. Raves to the staff who are friendly and attentive. They almost are hovering... but not quite. I had a 2 meat combo with brisket and pulled pork. The meats were cooked well, but a little lacking on a heavy smoke flavor. The bourbon bbq sauce was a nice touch to compliment them. My sides were the smoked clam chowder (on a Friday night) which was something that I would go back for any time and the texas potatoes which also were a great find. They kept the iced tea topped up, the place was immaculately clean (even the men's room!!) and I paid $16 for dinner. In all not a bad experience. I'll be back.
(3)Lance E.
Ok.....I was in a itch to have BBQ, and me and my buddy settled on Hole In The Wall on West 11th. If I were to appropriately name it for my experience, I would call it "The Hole in My Wallet and Colon BBQ". Lets start with the pluses: 1.Awesome wait staff!! 2.Very clean restaurant! 3.Very clean restroom-this is a big one. 4.The Iced Tea was good. Let's move on with the negatives: 1.The food temperature of both entree's was down right cold. 2.Our original waiter failed to inform us they had run out of the chicken,and the daily hamburger special. 3.The barbecue sauces wer'e dissapointing, and tasted like ketchup.There was no spiciness to the sauce's. 4.I prefer my sauces heated with BBQ, not out of a bottle. 5.What exactly is,the pink mayonaise concoction that they served with the meal? 6.Mediocre drink selection. 7.Hardly any beer's on tap. 8.The decor looked like Oklahoma and New Jersey had a baby out of wedlock. All in all, this was a poor dining experience, and decision, considering the samll mortgage I had to take out to pay for the meal.Split second dining decisions are bad. I think next time, Ill stick with the deli at Dari Mart. "You know the good thing about all those executions in Texas? Fewer Texans!!"--George Carlin
(1)Teri B.
We've been there twice and the food was tasty, service was great, and the place is clean. It's a little pricey for the portions and it's weird to pay extra for fries or a side with a sandwich, so that's why only 4 stars. I was there with three boys and they all just about licked their plates and did not walk away hungry. Sometimes I think we are so used to over-portioning that we feel ripped off if we can't take half our dinner home in a doggie-bag.
(4)Cassidy C.
I'll like this place their cornbread muffins are bomb, I like their sides I'm just not a fan of the sauces. But I wont hate, Its bbq, I like bbq so Im prob goin back
(3)Virgil B.
Wednesday special prime rib French dip was excellent and Chicken and Ribs with the "ask for the special sweet-spicy BBQ sauce" were outstanding. Prices are fair, you'll get plenty to eat all with smiles from everyone there. Great locally owned place.
(5)Carrie A.
I know everyone in town loves Papa's Soul Food Kitchen -- and so do I -- but I just tried Hole in the Wall today, and seriously, the barbecued chicken is the best I've ever had. Oh my god. So good. The garlic fries are also delicious, and my husband was happy with his pulled pork sandwich. That said, I do agree with previous reviewers that it's a bit too expensive, and the atmosphere is nothing special. Still -- try it! Get the chicken!
(4)Henry G.
Love the ambiance(does that word apply to wood paneling?). The pulled pork sandwich was great and I love that there are two kinds of BBQ sauces on the table for me to use at my discretion. Dug this place though a buck cheaper would have been appropriate.
(4)libby d.
II just ordered from here through Pony Express,and the food was horrible.The ribs were tough,the sides i received were very small portions,it was terrible,wish i could give zero stars,the food was just nasty!
(1)Amie G.
I was craving BBQ. Being new to Eugene I had never eaten at this establishment. My stepson informed me that it is a chain restaurant which generally means the quality is lower (in my book anyway) and the food is a bit artificial. We had already arrived so I decided what the heck we'll give it a go. First off, the wait staff was very nice and attentive. We were seated right away and the waitress was very good at making sure we had everything we needed without stopping every 5 seconds to check on us. So that's where the 2 stars come from. Great service is nice, but I expected a quality meal. We ordered the special "Meatloaf Platter with 2 sides" I chose green beans and the Mac n Cheese. The meatloaf was mediocre and I could tell they use very cheap meat. The Mac n Cheese tasted like it had butter flavored Crisco rather than real butter and a bit too much paprika for my tastes, it was quite artificial tasting. The green beans were slightly better than okay, they were cooked properly and I liked that they added a bit of peppers to it. The cornbread muffin was dry, too dry, and they do not serve actual butter, they serve a margarine mix. Obviously I'm not a fan of artificial items. The sauce was okay. For the price of $11.99, the portion was definitely not large enough. Especially since I've read some rave reviews about other bbq places in Eugene that load up the food and have great prices. If you've never had authentic BBQ and you don't care about artificial additives, this place might be for you. As for me, I'll stick to making it myself.
(2)Nicholas B.
This place was awesome. Good seasoning. Friendly waitress and very reasonably priced. 5 of us ate for $60. Would definitely eat here again if I was passing through.
(5)Jean S.
It's okay bar-b-que; but not for what they charge and certainly not for how they've built a reputation. I guess we just don't have any bar-b-que joints around here and have to settle for this place. And don't bother asking for any hot sauce, because what they consider their hotest sauce is mild to say the least. Won't go back.
(2)Stuart P.
Perfectly adequate bar-b-que if you've never lived within driving (or eating) distance of Memphis. The sauce leaves a great deal to be desired, despite their obvious pride in it. The baked beans are bland, the slaw too crisp. On the plus side, everyone there is real nice.
(2)W M.
I do better BBQ..just have this goofy job thing that interferes with my ability to give these nice folks a run for their biz. Nice staff, my customers seem to enjoy their visits there but seriously, this is very average BBQ on their best days.
(2)Mary C.
This place is really good if you are in the mood for some BBQ! The St. Louis kind that starts with a dry rub. You can add BBQ sauce if you want (the sauce is great) but the meat doesn't need it. My favorite side here is the Texas Potatoes!!! SO GOOD! Great place to grub if you are in the mood for some fingerlickin' bbq. The people at the W 11th location are really nice too.
(4)Eric L.
Walking into this place shocked me. It felt like I was back in the midwest!! The food here is good, but expensive. I got the BBQ Chicken and it was delicious. They roast the chicken so it's all smokey and tender and not saucy. If you want saucy they have a bottle at the table! The texas style potatoes and the sweet cornbread muffins are killer. My friend got the pulled pork sandwich for $6.50 and it did not come with any sides at all. He was still hungry after finishing his sandwich, and he ended up eating my sides and scraps. The waitstaff was really nice and prompt. We ordered our food and it was out within 10 minutes. I think other places are better though for the price you pay. I would change the name of this place to "Hole in the Wallet BBQ".
(2)Michelle F.
I'm a vegetarian, and my boyfriend (who is not vegetarian) and I are hooked on the potato salad. Yumm!!
(4)Craig B.
I think it is harder to review your favorite restaurants, or places you frequent on a regular basis. Not that you lose any objectivity, you just have so many experiences to draw from it becomes challenging to focus. Hole in the Wall has been a favorite of mine for a good eight years after a friend introduced me to their food. If you are craving BBQ this is a great place to go. The chicken is always moist and delicious, and the pulled pork or beef brisket sandwiches full of flavor. My favorites include the fresh cut fries, the smoked bacon cheeseburger, and the lone star salad with hot links. I can't remember having a bad meal or poor service experience. It is definitely worth a visit.
(5)C. C.
Best BBQ for Eugene. The moment I walked in, it felt familiar to Texas, the booths, Texas flags, cowboy gear on the walls, ahhh home. The service is friendly and quick. They take care of you with Southern style hospitality, which is a lot different than Northwest hospitality(if it even exists). As for the food, well it is the best BBQ you will find in Eugene. It's not the same as Texas BBQ, mainly because Texans smoke their meats over pecan wood and you can't get that here. The price is what it is-reasonable but not cheap. You'll pay it if you want to scratch that BBQ itch. The meal portions could be bigger though,
(4)Caroline R.
Last night, after a long day of work and school, I was in no mood to cook dinner. My sweetie was craving BBQ and I wasn't craving something quite as gastro-intestinally devastating as Papa's Soul Food (don't get me wrong... they are THE PLACE for delicious-albeit-artery-clogging goods in town...) so we decided to go to Hole in the Wall. While they aren't quite as good as Papa's (they don't have as much variety or fried chicken) the service was excellent, the food was really good, and everything got to us super fast. The atmosphere was relaxed and fun, the smoked chicken was juicy and tender, and the Texan potatoes are off the hook. Also their Sonoran Ranch is TOTALLY good and the side-salad is pretty delicious. All in all, I recommend this place if you are really feeling barbeque but don't want to cook it yourself and don't want something that is gonna leave you with the 'itis.
(3)K. R.
I wasn't a fan at all. The server was very nice and prompt with our drinks and food. The food was greasy and barely above warm. I'll stick to my own BBQ.
(2)Andrew D.
We have loved Hole in the Wall for years. It's nice that they have this great location now in Springfield. Good service, great food and its family friendly. Very nice place! You must try the breakfast! The Hot wings are superb! The Turkey is as good as it gets and the Sunday Brunch is very nice.
(4)Barney P.
Auhhh. So, went there for lunch the other day. It was the lunch rush, packed .. Waiting line going outside .. Only two waitresses... Ordered the burger just to mix it up. Very dry. Added sauce to it, but ugh. Ordered a Pepsi, got some kind of cherry coke? Told the " wise cracking" waitress who said, " cherry coke,,, no way, that's Pepsi ". Ohh k, so make a scene over a drink or let it go? Cooler heads prevailed , plus we were in a bit of a hurry. Wasn't real happy with the food The time before that, we went and they were out of chicken. And then ran out of Pork! Huh? Lots of BBQ joints popping up in town. They need to step up their game if they want to stay relevant.
(2)Hehe D.
I have cooked pit BBQ for 25 years. I am a KCBS BBQ judge. I owned a BBQ spot. Please keep in mind most folks do not get the chance to eat fresh of the cooker brisket and ribs absolutllllly the best!!!. That said it is incredibly hard to hold BBQ at this level. So you cannot compare Hole in the wall to Arthurs in Texas. Why because Arthurs slings brisket from the cooker to the prep table and it is gone in 20 minutes and when there out there out for the day maybe 35% of BBQ joints are like this in the south. So without that kind of volume we have to HOLD BBQ in a holding oven. Well ALL FOOD dries and loses some of its freshness. So bottom line if I can get a fairly consistent BBQ that is not TO dry and has good flavor from a BBQ joint I am a happy BBQ judge!!!!! Hole in the Wall does just that!! That is where the 4 star comes from. You cannot supply completion quality BBQ consistently all day from a warmer!! So hence you cannot rate a BBQ place comparing it to competition BBQ! If you want to taste the best. Call and order pick up when it comes off the cooker!!!
(4)Don J.
Would not recommend their catering. Unprofessional and unable to fulfill simple requests. Food not bad, but nothing we would recommend.
(1)Bob B.
A good - not outstanding - place to eat BBQ. I almost always have their baby back rib plate and a couple of sides depending on what I'm in the mood for. My g/f always has a bbq'd turley sandwich which she says is very good. The ribs are served dry but the table always has a selection of BBS sauces to choose from which you can add to your meat. Missing: St. Louis style ribs! Why?
(3)ashley e.
My food was kind of cold and kind of bland. If anyone knows where to find good bbq in this town, please let me know.
(2)Izzy L.
went in for a late lunch. friendly folks but both the pork ribs and beef brisket were fairly overcooked or left in the holding oven too long. flavor profile was decent. cole slaw and beans lacked much flavor but cornbread was above average. Prices average , overall average
(3)Stan S.
Driving and looking for a place to eat when I spotted this place. Got the only parking space in the otherwise full, small lot so, knew this had to be a local favorite (it is). Waited to be seated at the hostess station and soon was. The weird thing is she then went back to it to get me a menu and silverware. Other than that one quirk, the staff was extremely friendly, helpful, and quick. I had the special which was a smoked patty bacon cheeseburger. If you REALLY like smokey flavor in your meat, you'll like this burger. For me, it was too much. I prefer it enhance the flavor of the meat not be the flavor. Didn't know you could get meat to taste that much like smoke without liquid smoke! I had the Mac and cheese and potato salad sides and both were very good. Despite the burger experience, I do plan to try the place again to sample the more traditional BBQ meats - which I wish I had this time.
(2)Auntie J.
This is my fav BBQ when visiting Eugene. Great ribs with several choices of BBQ source. The staff is very pleasant, quick & helpful. Fruit (peach, berry, or apple) crips served hot with scoop of ice cream or brownie sunday perfect way to end our meal.
(5)Cyan B.
Nice small town, mom and pop eatery. The folks here are very friendly and efficient. I'm addicted to the brisket of beef! The sides are what you'd expect someone's mom to make. Someone who is a very good cook! I've had most of them and they are really a treat. My favorites are the coleslaw and the Texas potatoes! This is one of 2 dine-in restaurants owned by the same people. Also this W 11th branch is the original location, smaller than the Springfield branch but with a great and fun "broken in" atmosphere. Lots of Texas stuff on the walls. Very welcoming! The owners really want you to have a super dinning experience, which is evident by the feedback card at every table. Nothing pretentious about this place just great Texas style BBQ and great fixings.
(5)Kellie G.
My family and I stopped here as bbq suddenly sounded good we picked the family style dinner. 2 meats brisket and pulled pork.. 2 sides mac cheese and Texas potatoes. ..salad and sweet rolls and corn muffins and OMG brownies for dessert all for a mere 11.99 a person yummy
(5)Sean G.
Are there for quick dinner last night with a good friend. Impressed by the waitress excellent service and the quality of the corn bread. Incredible. I had the world famous pulled pork sandwich and she brought out 3 different bbq sauces to try my favorite by far was the honey variation my sweet potato fries were excellent and a generous portion needless to say I was stuffed by the time I left for a little over ten dollars what an incredible spot to dine!
(5)Jen W.
Oh, my. I had tried the Hole in the Wall at Valley River Mall and it was absolutely delicious. So based on that pleasant experience, I figured their other location (on W. 11th) would be comparable. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. I've tried the W. 11th restaurant twice now and the food quality is very poor. The beef patties are so chalked full of artificial smoke flavor that it's unappealing. Both times our hot food arrived at our table ice cold, the fries shriveled and the waitress a bit snippy and unaccommodating. I don't think we'll give this restaurant a third try.
(1)Jonathan M.
This place is great! The st louis ribs are perfect, fall off the bone, and the spicy bourbon bbq sauce is delicious. Try the fries! Try the strawberry lemonade too!!
(5)Simon R.
One of the best places to get southern style BBQ in the stater of Oregon! A bit spendy like all BBQ this place is worth every penny. I usually always get the 3 meat platter with Hot Links, Pulled Pork, and the staple in my mind that you always have, the brisket. Sooo good especially if you add the whip sauce. A spicy and insanely flavorful sauce. If you like potatoes you simply cant go wrong with their Texas potatoes as a side and add the mac and cheese. What can I say, I love this place and you would too.
(5)Benjamin K.
Excellent smoked turkey sandwich and fried okra I liked that they leave adding BBQ sauce to the customer and offer a variety of sauces made onsite.
(4)Janet M.
When I lived in Eugene my friend and I would trek out here to get barbecue. There aren't a lot of choices in Eugene for that. I liked the pulled pork sandwiches, they were fairy decent, and the smoked turkey, and the sauce, and the sides. I don't know if it's still there but there was an old piano and sometimes there would be someone playing it. Fun. The potato salad kicked butt. I liked all the sides, but especially liked that there was a variety to choose from. I liked the dessert too, probably too much ( corn bread pudding? um, YUM). NO, it's not the world's best barbecue ( this girl's daddy came from Kansas City, and I lived in Austin for a year, so I know what it's supposed to be like, ok) but it's better than adequate. Last time I was down there I had a pulled pork sandwich and it was just the same. It was a decent lunch. If you're on your way to Florence you have to drive right by it, might as well stop in!
(3)Steve B.
We stopped at Hole in the Wall BBQ saturday night just before closing time. It was our first adventure here so we scoped it out well...I looked to see if the people in the restaurant (and it was packed) looked like they were having fun, and they all did. My friend was checking out the menu that was posted to see what they had that sounded good. My first question was, " Do they have baby backs?" and the answer is No! so that was disappointing...before we could pick something we were whisked off to the last open booth. so yeah, fast service and friendly like others have commented on...it was good to see that. Our server had a good sense of humor (commendable at the end of a busy night) and we had some fun joking back and forth with her. She suggested several items but we went with what we usually get when we go to bbq....ribs for me (st louis style) and brisket for my friend. he thought the brisket was delicious and I felt the same way about the ribs. Only "ding" was the very dry cole slaw...I thought about returning it but we were having fun and the rest of the meal really filled me up so ill just choose something else next time. Great place and seems to be a good spot to take kids too as there was a big table with kids and everyone looked to be enjoying themselves!! :-)
(4)M K.
This is a great place. Everything that we have had has been excellent, from salads to BBQ. Service is fast and the wait staff is great... they have a sense of humor, they are efficient, and wonderfully friendly. In fact they are consistently the best waitresses I remember. Really, each time we go my wife and I are a bit amazed that the business is able to hire such friendly people. I'm going back on Friday for the fried chicken.
(5)Andrea W.
The first several times I've eaten here the food was amazing! The ribs were so tender and juicy. Literally fall of the bone! The service is okay. They're nice, but one lady in particular is pretty forgetful. The food always made up for that...not lately though. The ribs have been pretty dry. And the side options have tasted like they were sitting in a warmer. I'm hoping it was just bad luck, and next time I go in its back to what I am used to
(3)Tim B.
I'm really disappointed that this place didn't offer a hole in the wall where "the men could see it all." One of my favorite waitresses works here. She looks like a middle-age kindergarten teacher with a lovely and unbelievably snarky attitude. The price of admission is worth dealing with her alone. I've eaten here twice, once on a Thursday when they have smoked cheeseburgers. The cheeseburger is delivered ultra-pink, it almost looks raw, but it's dry and not greasy and has a lovely smokey taste. I can't say that I liked it more than a really good grilled or fried burger but the experience shouldn't be missed. I urge you to check out their smoked burgers on Thursdays. Today I had the Prime Rib French Dip which was smoked and lovely. The prime rib was super moist and delicate. I also got a small order of fries which are homemade and delicious. A cornbread muffin of decent, but not spectacular quality, made an appearance. It's not cheap, lunch for two was a whopping $32 for two of the above entrees and two tall glasses of sweet tea which were kept filled constantly. They also have fried chicken which this southerner has missed for quite some time, it's on my list to try. I have nothing overly witty to say on this review because HITW deserves some 'spect. From what I've had here it's well above average and bordering on spectacular. I'm tempted to call this one four stars but cannot bring myself to do it. Five stars for all around awesomeness.
(5)Nicole D.
Not a fan of this place. The first time we went, the food was ok. The second and third times it was all bone dry, tasteless, and just not what we had before. Definitely had much better and am not impressed. Very inconsistent. Will not be there again.
(2)Wella A.
The pulled pork smelled wonderful but disappointingly tasted bland unless it was covered in barbeque sauce that was unfortunately too sweet. I enjoyed the chicken more but it was the skin that gave the smoky flavor otherwise I don't think I would've enjoyed it at all. I had to salt the beans, and I ate the green beans because I wanted vegetables, otherwise I would've let the seemingly canned stuff alone. The highlight of my dish was the crunchy coleslaw and the tart potato salad...I should've had more of that.
(3)Zac H.
It's ok but if you're expecting the real hole in the wall from Seattle you're going to be disappointed. Meat and BBQ sauce isn't nearly as good. It's still edible but it's not the same amazing beef BBQ you get in Seattle. I know it was allowed by the owners, but this place shouldn't be allowed to use the same name.
(3)Jeb S.
Food is great and service is great.. My fav bbq place in town on my way now for tuesday night meatloaf!
(5)Heath T.
Disgusting. Absolutely disgusting. The cornbread muffins taste like they were dipped in barbecue sauce. The fries were soggy. The meat was full of fat and so chewy I nearly choked. I will never eat here again and I suggest you avoid.
(1)Sean S.
What a great BBQ joint! Probably some of the nicest service I've received at a restaurant in a long time. It's rare that you go out to eat and every server in the place wants to make sure you're taken care of, not just the one entitled to the tip. When it came time to order, I went with the plate of pulled pork and ribs with a side of french fries, potato salad and corn muffin. What is BBQ all about? Tender meat and awesome sauce! When the meal was brought out to me, there was no sauce on the plate. I was totally left to my own saucing. One down side here, is the sauces are left on the table and are not served warm, kind of a nit-pick but this does make a difference in some BBQ lovers minds. Of the two sauces available, the first I attempted was nothing special, however the second I had a go at (the spicier of the two) was fantastic. It had just the right amount of kick for my taste buds to do a little dancing. The meat was very tender and totally enjoyable. All in all it was a great experience and I will definitely go back next time I'm craving BBQ. The pricing isn't bad at all for the amount of food you get. Recommended.
(4)Benjamin S.
This place has a 3 star average? Seriously? I have to assume that's because people in Eugene can't read. This BBQ hotspot has been good for years and will continue to be. If people complain about the food here it's probably because they forgot to take the dip out of their rapidly decaying bottom lip for long enough to enjoy a meal. The BBQ sandwich is amazing, and on Thursdays they do a burger. That burger is the biggest juiciest BBQ burger I've ever encountered, and look at my picture, it's obvious I've encountered a vast multiplicity of them. The staff is sassy and fun. The atmosphere is always outgoing and remarkably clean. The whole place is a success story. If you gave this place less than 4 stars you're probably one of the 300 idiots that camp outside of McDonalds every year for the return of the McRib.
(5)Anthony R.
It will do in a pinch. I mean, if you're starving or the only other option is Lok Yaun. This is BBQ for White people, (capital W, please). White people who probably think it's quaint to pop into a real life BBQ joint. But this place isn't. The overwhelming flavor profile can be described as Post-Millenial Bland. Everything is DRY as sawdust. The sides are average--so average in fact that you forget what you ate as soon as you walk out the door. I've given Hole in the Wall several tries, mostly because it always wins "Best BBQ" in local polls. This, however, is the same town that considers P.F. Chang's the pinnacle of Chinese cuisine. If you want BBQ, I'd go check out Papa's or even better, BBQ King. I'd even eat Horsehead's mediocre pulled pork before coming here again.
(2)Clare H.
The first time I ate at this small Eugene gem, it was worth five stars; the second time, it was worth three. So, as a compromise, I'll give it four. The first time, the chicken was moist and beautifully barbequed and mouthwatering when slathered with house sauce. The second time, it was dry and needed lots of sauce just to finish it. The first time, the ribs were coated in a caramelized crust and fell off the bone. The second time, they were overcooked and in need of TLC. Apart from inconsistency of meats, the sides were delicious. Steamed fresh green beans, creamy mac n' cheese, dill potato salad that stole my friend's heart and influenced the purchase of a second portion, moist corn bread muffins, sweet tea in small glass boots, and sweet baked beans made for a lovely evening. Baked apple crisp was actually the first item that was ordered during the second dining experience (a friend's tradition) and while it came in a tiny cup, it was worthy of its description, sliced apples drenched in gooey goodness encased in flaky buttery crust and topped in vanilla ice cream. I will be back in hopes of another first meal experience.
(4)Matt N.
I didn't really enjoy the BBQ here as much as the reviews had me thinking I would. It was good- but a little overpriced for the flavor and portions (lunch). Service was good- I was the only person in the restaurant when I arrived, so I would have been disappointed had it not been. The sauces were pretty standard. My side dishes were lacking flavor as well- so the sauces definitely helped in that category.
(2)Tinky R.
Really yummy!!!
(5)Scott M.
Coming from Texas, let's just say I have eaten a lot of BBQ. This is great food and service. No idea where people rating it low ate. Can't be the same restaurant.
(5)Howard R.
Hole in the Wall BBQ was a good place for a single person for dinner. Raves to the staff who are friendly and attentive. They almost are hovering... but not quite. I had a 2 meat combo with brisket and pulled pork. The meats were cooked well, but a little lacking on a heavy smoke flavor. The bourbon bbq sauce was a nice touch to compliment them. My sides were the smoked clam chowder (on a Friday night) which was something that I would go back for any time and the texas potatoes which also were a great find. They kept the iced tea topped up, the place was immaculately clean (even the men's room!!) and I paid $16 for dinner. In all not a bad experience. I'll be back.
(3)Michelle H.
We have gone to the Springfield location twice for dinner about 6 months apart. There are not a lot of BBQ places to choose from, so I will likely return but only when the craving is strong. The service was incredible. Friendly, attentive and fast. This latest visit was a Saturday night and while we waited for about 10 minutes to be seated, once we were settled in our booth we were well cared for. The food tasted very good. They had a nice variety of sides and meats. My husband had the french fries and I was certain they were fried in bacon fat, they were that amazing. Hands down the best fries we had ever eaten. Turns out they blanch the potatoes first before frying and they change their fryer grease weekly (rather than monthly at most places). The insides were creamy and the outside (skins on) were firm without being brittle and had intense flavor. If I were rating just the fries it would be 6 stars. The meats themselves were well prepared, full of smoky flavor without being too dry. Sauce options made sure there was something for everyone's taste. The portion sizes in comparison to price were disappointing. I am a big eater, so I will say that I appreciate a hearty portion. But as a realist, I can say that their prices are too high for what you get. I can see where meat would be spendy and they could offset it by loading up on the sides, salads and bread, but that is not the case here. Sides are served in 1/2cup ramekins. Salads are a side to choose and not included for everyone and the rolls/cornbread basket was paltry and cold. Praise Worthy: Service, flavor Improvement needed: prices/serving sizes
(3)Teri B.
We've been there twice and the food was tasty, service was great, and the place is clean. It's a little pricey for the portions and it's weird to pay extra for fries or a side with a sandwich, so that's why only 4 stars. I was there with three boys and they all just about licked their plates and did not walk away hungry. Sometimes I think we are so used to over-portioning that we feel ripped off if we can't take half our dinner home in a doggie-bag.
(4)Lance E.
Ok.....I was in a itch to have BBQ, and me and my buddy settled on Hole In The Wall on West 11th. If I were to appropriately name it for my experience, I would call it "The Hole in My Wallet and Colon BBQ". Lets start with the pluses: 1.Awesome wait staff!! 2.Very clean restaurant! 3.Very clean restroom-this is a big one. 4.The Iced Tea was good. Let's move on with the negatives: 1.The food temperature of both entree's was down right cold. 2.Our original waiter failed to inform us they had run out of the chicken,and the daily hamburger special. 3.The barbecue sauces wer'e dissapointing, and tasted like ketchup.There was no spiciness to the sauce's. 4.I prefer my sauces heated with BBQ, not out of a bottle. 5.What exactly is,the pink mayonaise concoction that they served with the meal? 6.Mediocre drink selection. 7.Hardly any beer's on tap. 8.The decor looked like Oklahoma and New Jersey had a baby out of wedlock. All in all, this was a poor dining experience, and decision, considering the samll mortgage I had to take out to pay for the meal.Split second dining decisions are bad. I think next time, Ill stick with the deli at Dari Mart. "You know the good thing about all those executions in Texas? Fewer Texans!!"--George Carlin
(1)Cassidy C.
I'll like this place their cornbread muffins are bomb, I like their sides I'm just not a fan of the sauces. But I wont hate, Its bbq, I like bbq so Im prob goin back
(3)Virgil B.
Wednesday special prime rib French dip was excellent and Chicken and Ribs with the "ask for the special sweet-spicy BBQ sauce" were outstanding. Prices are fair, you'll get plenty to eat all with smiles from everyone there. Great locally owned place.
(5)Amie G.
I was craving BBQ. Being new to Eugene I had never eaten at this establishment. My stepson informed me that it is a chain restaurant which generally means the quality is lower (in my book anyway) and the food is a bit artificial. We had already arrived so I decided what the heck we'll give it a go. First off, the wait staff was very nice and attentive. We were seated right away and the waitress was very good at making sure we had everything we needed without stopping every 5 seconds to check on us. So that's where the 2 stars come from. Great service is nice, but I expected a quality meal. We ordered the special "Meatloaf Platter with 2 sides" I chose green beans and the Mac n Cheese. The meatloaf was mediocre and I could tell they use very cheap meat. The Mac n Cheese tasted like it had butter flavored Crisco rather than real butter and a bit too much paprika for my tastes, it was quite artificial tasting. The green beans were slightly better than okay, they were cooked properly and I liked that they added a bit of peppers to it. The cornbread muffin was dry, too dry, and they do not serve actual butter, they serve a margarine mix. Obviously I'm not a fan of artificial items. The sauce was okay. For the price of $11.99, the portion was definitely not large enough. Especially since I've read some rave reviews about other bbq places in Eugene that load up the food and have great prices. If you've never had authentic BBQ and you don't care about artificial additives, this place might be for you. As for me, I'll stick to making it myself.
(2)Carrie A.
I know everyone in town loves Papa's Soul Food Kitchen -- and so do I -- but I just tried Hole in the Wall today, and seriously, the barbecued chicken is the best I've ever had. Oh my god. So good. The garlic fries are also delicious, and my husband was happy with his pulled pork sandwich. That said, I do agree with previous reviewers that it's a bit too expensive, and the atmosphere is nothing special. Still -- try it! Get the chicken!
(4)Nicholas B.
This place was awesome. Good seasoning. Friendly waitress and very reasonably priced. 5 of us ate for $60. Would definitely eat here again if I was passing through.
(5)Jean S.
It's okay bar-b-que; but not for what they charge and certainly not for how they've built a reputation. I guess we just don't have any bar-b-que joints around here and have to settle for this place. And don't bother asking for any hot sauce, because what they consider their hotest sauce is mild to say the least. Won't go back.
(2)Stuart P.
Perfectly adequate bar-b-que if you've never lived within driving (or eating) distance of Memphis. The sauce leaves a great deal to be desired, despite their obvious pride in it. The baked beans are bland, the slaw too crisp. On the plus side, everyone there is real nice.
(2)W M.
I do better BBQ..just have this goofy job thing that interferes with my ability to give these nice folks a run for their biz. Nice staff, my customers seem to enjoy their visits there but seriously, this is very average BBQ on their best days.
(2)Mary C.
This place is really good if you are in the mood for some BBQ! The St. Louis kind that starts with a dry rub. You can add BBQ sauce if you want (the sauce is great) but the meat doesn't need it. My favorite side here is the Texas Potatoes!!! SO GOOD! Great place to grub if you are in the mood for some fingerlickin' bbq. The people at the W 11th location are really nice too.
(4)Henry G.
Love the ambiance(does that word apply to wood paneling?). The pulled pork sandwich was great and I love that there are two kinds of BBQ sauces on the table for me to use at my discretion. Dug this place though a buck cheaper would have been appropriate.
(4)libby d.
II just ordered from here through Pony Express,and the food was horrible.The ribs were tough,the sides i received were very small portions,it was terrible,wish i could give zero stars,the food was just nasty!
(1)Eric L.
Walking into this place shocked me. It felt like I was back in the midwest!! The food here is good, but expensive. I got the BBQ Chicken and it was delicious. They roast the chicken so it's all smokey and tender and not saucy. If you want saucy they have a bottle at the table! The texas style potatoes and the sweet cornbread muffins are killer. My friend got the pulled pork sandwich for $6.50 and it did not come with any sides at all. He was still hungry after finishing his sandwich, and he ended up eating my sides and scraps. The waitstaff was really nice and prompt. We ordered our food and it was out within 10 minutes. I think other places are better though for the price you pay. I would change the name of this place to "Hole in the Wallet BBQ".
(2)Michelle F.
I'm a vegetarian, and my boyfriend (who is not vegetarian) and I are hooked on the potato salad. Yumm!!
(4)Craig B.
I think it is harder to review your favorite restaurants, or places you frequent on a regular basis. Not that you lose any objectivity, you just have so many experiences to draw from it becomes challenging to focus. Hole in the Wall has been a favorite of mine for a good eight years after a friend introduced me to their food. If you are craving BBQ this is a great place to go. The chicken is always moist and delicious, and the pulled pork or beef brisket sandwiches full of flavor. My favorites include the fresh cut fries, the smoked bacon cheeseburger, and the lone star salad with hot links. I can't remember having a bad meal or poor service experience. It is definitely worth a visit.
(5)C. C.
Best BBQ for Eugene. The moment I walked in, it felt familiar to Texas, the booths, Texas flags, cowboy gear on the walls, ahhh home. The service is friendly and quick. They take care of you with Southern style hospitality, which is a lot different than Northwest hospitality(if it even exists). As for the food, well it is the best BBQ you will find in Eugene. It's not the same as Texas BBQ, mainly because Texans smoke their meats over pecan wood and you can't get that here. The price is what it is-reasonable but not cheap. You'll pay it if you want to scratch that BBQ itch. The meal portions could be bigger though,
(4)Sarah A.
Pretty good little place. The food is pretty average and the service is excellent. They have decent meats and sides. Nothing really bad about this place but it's definitely not the best BBQ I've had.
(3)Meggie W.
The BBQ was pretty good, the service not so much. Prices were standard. Their potato salad was killer; I would go back just for that!
(3)Amy J.
This place is awesome for their pulled pork sandwich with fries, honestly, that is always what me and my hubby have ordered, it is very well-priced and the portions are comparatively large next to some of their other entrees. The pulled pork is very good, though it does not have much flavor besides the pork on its own, this is not necessarily bad, and I love the sauces, the honey whiskey(the spicy one that is) is my favorite sauce. People have complained about this place a lot on here I see, but since I moved to Salem, I appreciate Hole in the Wall even more. Hands down, they are the best BBQ I have had in the Valley so far. Salem's BBQ fare is sorely lacking, we went to Adam's Rib, hearing it was the best BBQ around, and if that's true, I'd like to taste the worst in Salem... lol I always enjoyed Hole in the Wall though, especially their potato salad which is one of the best potato salads I have ever had, I am a potato salad fanatic, I have had potato salads from all over the country and made many myself, and their's is absolutely one of my favorites, it is very creamy and has a nice subtle flavor, not too over powering, though unfortunately, I am pretty sure it has a milk product in it, so I cannot eat it anymore, as I now know I have a milk allergy. My husbands father who used to live in the south and ate BBQ on a daily basis really enjoys it as well, so that says something to me, though others here claim to have done the same and don't like it, so I suppose it is a matter of taste. The smoked ham, beef brisket, and turkey legs are all great, but other than the turkey leg, the portions are definitely too small for the price, but I don't mind as all of the food is high quality and the unlimited strawberry lemonade is great as well as the sweet tea, and the service is always amazing whether in the Springfield store or the Eugene one, they are always friendly and often very helpful, it is the best and most consistent service I have ever had at a restaurant besides a restaurant in Flagstaff, Arizona called "Oregano's", and they are not BBQ. lol For me, the servuce at a restaurant is just as big of a draw, if not more so than the food, if the service is consistently poor, I will not go back, no matter how much I enjoy the food. God Bless ~Amy
(4)Caroline R.
Last night, after a long day of work and school, I was in no mood to cook dinner. My sweetie was craving BBQ and I wasn't craving something quite as gastro-intestinally devastating as Papa's Soul Food (don't get me wrong... they are THE PLACE for delicious-albeit-artery-clogging goods in town...) so we decided to go to Hole in the Wall. While they aren't quite as good as Papa's (they don't have as much variety or fried chicken) the service was excellent, the food was really good, and everything got to us super fast. The atmosphere was relaxed and fun, the smoked chicken was juicy and tender, and the Texan potatoes are off the hook. Also their Sonoran Ranch is TOTALLY good and the side-salad is pretty delicious. All in all, I recommend this place if you are really feeling barbeque but don't want to cook it yourself and don't want something that is gonna leave you with the 'itis.
(3)billy r.
Best BBQ in Eugene? I hope not. The meats are cooked really well but have little flavor. The sides are only okay, very basic. The chili was pretty darn good, though. Other reviewers have pointed out the high prices and the small portions. They are very correct. Way too little meat (mediocre as it is) for way too much money. This is very very basic BBQ, it would not last a week in any of the BBQ meccas that are mentioned in other reviews. Obviously Oregon is no Austin or Memphis, but come on. I Live in Cottage Grove and work near Vaneta so if I want BBQ, you will catch me at Tony's in Vaneta or Big Stuff in CG. Not here again. Oh, I almost forgot many reviews speak to the great service... Well if your idea of great service is being interrupted every forty seconds to ask if everything is okay, then you will love our waitress. I would take a bite of brisket and a bite of a side and there she was. How about letting me eat a little more and figuring out if everything is okay. I don't mind attentive wait staff, but she bordered on "stalker status." meh...
(2)Jando S.
The popularity of Hole In the Wall has gotten to be out of hand nowadays. There was a near 30 min wait on a Sunday afternoon and some of the prices have gone up. The food is still stellar, with the awesome cheesy potatoes, pulled pork, and baby back ribs. Service has gone down a slight notch, with a lot of college waitstaff who didn't seem to care much about our group. There was some overcharging initially which resulted in a near hole in the wallet, but it seems the name Hole In The Wall is just an oxymoron now.
(3)Brandon H.
What can I say, I'm a regular. We're in here once a week, every week, and have been for a couple years. That should say something.
(5)Betsy F.
I've only eaten there 2 times but I feel like their food is way to expensive for the portions you get. I was SHOCKED when I paid $15 for maybe 3oz of pulled pork. Very little beer options and OH GOD the place looks tacky. But for BBQ places in eugene it's slim pickings.
(2)Dennis S.
Best BBQ in Eugene, year in and year out. Most places over time seem to go downhill a little. Hole in the Wall actually has gotten better. I am a Certified BBQ Judge and have been involved in bbq competitions up and down the west coast. Hole in the Wall consistantly turns out great Q. Acutally the best in town is in my backyard, but I only do that for friends. Prices are reasonable considering cost of meat and overhead.
(5)Melinda H.
Hole in the Wall is a long time consistent favorite of my husband and I. My favorite order is pulled pork, texas potatoes & a green salad. If the regular BBQ sauce offerings aren't spicy enough for you request the extra spicy stuff with your order. The staff is super friendly and the service is always fast. Get there early if you want to be sure a specific menu item is available. We also love the breakfast at the Springfield restaurant.
(5)Daisy S.
Stopped for dinner here on our way to Portland. Since I was in my BBQ mood, this place caught my eyes. We were there on a Friday and the wait was about 15 minutes. So, sat down... the service was friendly. We ordered a plate that has two kind of meats and two side dishes. We had the pulled pork and ribs. We shared. It was pretty big portion. The BBQ is pretty good, but I think, I imagined the taste differently. I wanted something BBQ-ie but sweeter. BUT, I didn't say that it wasn't good. The meat are so tender that we didn't even need a knife to cut them. The cheesy potatoes are nearly awesome. The beans.. could have been better though. I just didn't think it was cooked enough. It was rather hard. The price is decent, I wish it could be cheaper though... considering it is in a small town in Oregon.
(3)Dominic I.
So this is my first bad review, i don't really like to write them because i work in the service industry and I sometimes get frustrated with what some people have to say about where i work, especially if they make invalid assumptions about pour size, product quality, etc. Let me start by saying that this review is based primarily on food, i ordered take out. The service staff seemed nice, had i eating there, it may have made my experience better. I ordered the "1/4 chicken and ribs with two sides" I was assuming that the chicken was a grilled barbecued chicken, which i am a big fan of, and although i like a lot of what "papa's soul food" has to offer, I'm not very fond of there BBQ chicken, so I've been aching for some. I did however see that the ribs were dry rub, which i excited to try, a previous job of mine made awesome dry rub ribs. For sides I got Mac and cheese and coleslaw. The meal all together was $15, which is a little steep, but i realized it sounded like it was going to be well worth it. Well it really wasn't worth it at all... I was asked if i wanted dark or light meat, i asked for dark, i feel it is more tender and has more flavor. Lets just say i was somewhat shocked when i got home and opened the to go container. An odd smell immediately exited the plastic container, and it no shit smelled like cat food. There i find a chicken hind, skin on, than looked like it was seasoned, thrown in the oven for way to long and than moved to a heat lamp for way too long. It was in no way appetizing. The Barbecue sauce came separate in a little sauce container. The ribs on the other hand LOOKED like it had some hope, and when i bit into to it all hope was lost to the driest, saddest, waist of meat I've ever seen a restaurant served. Barbecue ribs are supposed to be tasty. This was not tasty. The mac and cheese looked like the sauce was made from the crayola crayon, and it tasted very off; almost artificial and a strange consistency. If I'm going to eat artificial tasting mac and cheese I'll just stick to Kraft. The coleslaw was about the only thing in the whole meal that was somewhat enjoyable, but how had is it to mess up a 6 ingredient salad. It was one of the few experiences that i seriously considered calling them up and telling them what a disappointment it was, but i dont expect anything from it. I just want people to get a heads up and not be too surprised if you have a similar food experience. At least be cheap if your food is gonna taste like that.
(1)Truth B.
Good food. Little overpriced and the portions vary, I think, depending on when you go.
(3)Krysta H.
Wow! I just had the brisket which was so good! So were the beans, bbq sauce rocks and the waiter was super cute. Ill be back! Mmmmm
(4)Nick A.
Loved the food and loved the service, I would totally recommend this place!! They don't mask the meat with sauce!! I will be back for prime rib night!!
(5)Brad K.
We went there for lunch at the recommendation of local friends. The place was crowded so we ended up at a long table. I had their original BBQ sandwich. The fancy bun fell apart making it hard to eat. The meat was not as tender as I would have liked. I liked their "Texas" cheesy potatoes, but my lunch only came with a little scoop of potatoes. Overall its a good and not expensive place for lunch. Be careful of the driveway. It's just off of a busy corner that looks like you can use a left turn lane but you really can't. Going west on 11th street go past, turn around, and come back going east. There is overflow parking down the side of the building.
(4)Dan F.
Grabbed some lunch here with a customer. I have been here several times over the years and it is very consistent. Service is always fast and friendly. Food is always tasty. Not my favorite BBQ shop in OR, but I wouldn't pass it by either. Give it a try.
(4)James C.
Fried Pickles and a Pulled Pork Sandwich (w/ potato salad) and some delicious strawberry lemonade is all I need for a hearty lunch.
(5)JP B.
BEST FRENCH DIP EVER!!! Also Had brisket sandwich -- delicious! Fried pickles were yummy. Staff is very helpful Nd friendly! We will be back!!!
(5)Brad B.
Hole in the Wall is a great little gem. We were down from Vancouver to grab something in Eugene and decided to grab a bite to eat here. Glad we did. Try the pulled pork platter with their fries. Good food and even better service!
(5)Krista H.
My roommate and I ate at Hole in the Wall and as usual we left happy. Their food is amazing. Besides the incredible ribs I highly recommend their pulled pork and beef brisket. As for sides I recommend the Texas cheesy potatoes and the fries. Make sure to ask for the fry sauce because it is addictive. Tonight we were in a hurry and at first the service started out a bit slow. We politely let our waitress know that we were needing to leave by a certain time and she served us accordingly. Kudos to her for being very attentive and getting us out the door on time.
(5)