I'm betting this is the only authentic smokehouse barbecue/ Italian restaurant in the tri-state area. As I understand it, the owner of Tavanis had a passion for participating in barbecue competitions so he decided to open a place that offers both types of cuisine. The restaurant is comfortable - a good number of tables and booths throughout, bar seating, well lit and inviting. Sat at the bar and was waited on by Maci - a great server. Ask for her. Had BBQ on the mind so I ordered a sampler platter. It included some ribs, chicken and beef brisket. Sides were corn on the cob and Mac and cheese. The ribs were delicious. Obviously spent hours in the smoker and had that pink ring you want that shows it was done right. They were tender and tasty. The brisket was good. Not great but great brisket is hard to find. The chicken was a thigh and leg. I'm a white meat guy but the leg tasted good. The house made BBQ sauce was great. The corn was fresh and I liked the Mac and cheese. Had two ice cold Stella's while I watched the TV or talked Game of Thrones with Macy. Huge beer selection and full bar! Brought home a huge plate of leftovers for tomorrow. Met the owner who was a great guy. You can tell he loves what he's doing and it comes through in the food. Ironically, this is down the street from mediocre par boiled chain restaurant Famous Daves. If you want good BBQ do not go there! Come to the Engine - you'll be glad you did. Next time I'll try the Italian!
(4)
L K.
If you've eaten at Barbacoa in Ardmore, it is pretty hard to top. So I have to give my rating based on comparison to how good Barbacoa is, and Engine 23 Smokehouse just isn't in the same league. What we ate in order of most pleasing to least pleasing: CORNBREAD This was our favorite of all we had at Engine 23. The cornbread is moist, flavorful, has a nice texture, and the maple butter is very good as well. The only place with better cornbread around here is French Quarter Cafe in Royersford, which has the best cornbread I have ever had (in addition to excellent Cajun/Creole food). MAC N CHEESE Decent mac n cheese, MUCH better than the junk they serve at Jimmy's BBQ in Malvern, but not as good as Barbacoa's mac n cheese. This did seem like it was a baked mac n cheese, which is normally what people look for with good BBQ. But the flavors were not outrageously memorable, and Barbacoa uses better quality cheese. RIBS Little bit dry but still tender and not chewy. But they seem to rely too much on their very spiced sauce to get flavor. The smoke flavor was in the sauce, not the meat, and good BBQ does not need a super-strong sauce because the meat should speak for itself. BRISKET Another reviewer said the brisket tasted like what is in crockpots across Delco, and that is not really saying good things about the quality of the meat cooking. I would have to agree with that. As with the ribs, it seems the over-spicey strong sauce is trying to compensate for the lack of slow-cooked good flavor and juicy tenderness that should be going on in the meats. COLESLAW Tangy-er tasting than many coleslaws, not a heavy mayo taste. Cabbage was crisp. FRENCH FRIES Seasoned with mild spices (not everyone's taste, probably better left alone). They weren't cooked crispy or with any crunch to them, kind of soft. COLLARD GREENS They had bacon in them which is a nice idea, but they were really soft (like canned foods get when they sit in water in a can forever), and they tasted overcooked. Overall the place was okay, but when I can opt for Barbacoa in Ardmore, I will make the trip there instead.
(3)
Brian L.
I can't use the actual f word I would like... however this establishment is fantastic! I believe it to be exactly what a traditional smokehouse bbq should be! Food awesome with portions beyond satisfaction, the house made sauces are a positive enhancements to their perfectly cooked meats. As the service, I must say is top quality, in particular Dan is absolutely a dear! I am sure to make this a weekly regular occurrence.
(5)
Phil M.
we picked up takeout on a sunday afternoon. The staff were friendly and the place was clean. There was a nice beer selection which is a plus. We did not sit for beer. The parking is Horrible. Spaces are limited and right off of a main road. Seating is small uncomfortable picnic type tables. The food was just ok. I had the brisket. The sauce is tasty but the meat and the mac and cheese were both dry. The entree portion was small for the price but the sides were plenty, just not very good. This was the first time eating here and I would go back, if nothing else was open and someone else was driving.
(2)
Kristin N.
Fast service, excellent brisket, steaming hot and well seasoned fries!! We stopped after work for a quick dinner. We took the last available table but there were seats at the bar too. Parking was a little tight, but we found a spot. I would highly recommend!
(5)
Blaine P.
I tried a chili and pulled pork sandwich. My coworker tried the medium ribs with coleslaw. The place was not crowded. It's kind of a pub atmosphere. They have a bar and beer case so pick your poison. More importantly, the meats were excellent. Great texture with a good flavor profile. Ribs had a nice smoke ring. Chili could use a little more heat but improved greatly with a little tobacco sauce. I would recommend this place over anything else we have tried in the area so far including Famous Daves which is right down the street. My only knock on the place was the time it took to get our food even though we were the only patrons in the restaurant when we started.
(4)
Chris C.
Wow.....tried this place after reading the reviews on Yelp. I have to say its the best bbq I've had since I was in Nashville many years ago. The pulled pork is life-changing.....the chicken....amazing.....brisket quite good too....not dry like some reviews said. I am definitely coming back. And as an added bonus they have Tavani's favorites....I lived around the corner from Tavani's in the early 1990s and miss their food.....so even more reasons to eat here. You won't find a better bbq place in this area.
(5)
Mike R.
I like this place, really... I do. I was there the day it opened and have stopped by from time to time. Unfortunately, nothing here really pulls you back in. They have a great beer selection for takeout as well as some intriguing drafts at the bar. The menu has your typical BBQ dishes and is presented straight forward. The menu is small but in my opinion that is a good thing. First thing is first. The wings here are really amazing! They also have a decent selection of house made sauces and I hope to try each one at some point. When I usually order wings I almost ALWAYS ask for them well done. There is nothing worse than a soggy wing that has no crunch. At Engine 23, this is not required. Wings are crispy, meaty and tender. The thing that really throws me off and the reason why I have to deduct two stars is the ribs. They aren't doing something right with these. Dry, odd texture, not enough sauce/rub to really bring out the flavor of the meat. They have a nice smokey flavor but nothing else to compliment that. I would say give this place a try. Great wings, great side dishes like mac n' cheese. Just don't expect to be blown away by the ribs.
(3)
Pam T.
Excellent place to eat!! Their BBQ is top notch and their Italian food is great!! You won't be disappointed. It's a pretty extensive menu weather Italian or BBQ!! I waited to write a review until I did multiple trips and now that I've been here a few times its been consistent and awesome! Definitely recommend!!!
(4)
Kathryn N.
Much needed in this area!! So far, I have been here twice and I was definitely satisfied both times! The first time we tried Engine 23, we did takeout and got the brisket. The brisket was good, but not as good as Big Daddy'z in Ridley. The sauce on the brisket was tasty and not too overpowering the meat. The meat could have been a little more tender, but still good, especially for this area. The second time we dined in and got the pulled pork; that was delicious! SO tender and cooked just right! Again, the sauce was just right Both times I got the Mac and cheese and fries as my sides and they are both very good and definitely above average! The Mac and cheese is very cheesy and even has a nice crunch on the top (cheez-it's maybe), and the fries are seasoned perfectly with bbq spice. The menu is loaded with so many options that I will definitely be going to back to make my way around! Also, they have a full bar, so that's a plus for anyone that would go with me that wants a drink (I'm not really a drinker)! Another refreshing aspect to Engine 23 is that their staff is very friendly and attentive! That is like almost unheard of around here!!
(4)
Leonard N.
We stopped by on a Sunday around noon and the place was just beginning to get busy. A grill master was outside working his magic because whatever he had on the grill filled the air with this perfect aroma of meat, marinade and wood. I'm not a BBQ restaurant critic, but what we ate was quite impressive. The portions were just right and the choices for side dishes good. We got mac and cheese, collard greens, corn bread and coleslaw and all were very tasty. For the meat, we got ribs and beef brisket - both very tender and very flavorful. They have an excellent bar and offer plenty of take out choices. Overall, service was quick and pleasant. The restaurant and restrooms were clean as well. We'll definitely be back.
(4)
Theodore W.
I was extremely excited when I saw a small BBQ joint open in my town. I have found famous daves to be more of an Applebee's then real BBQ. Unfortunately what I found at engine 23 was not BBQ at all and this is why: When you enter the restaurant, you do not smell smoke. None at all. This is the first sign that their food is not properly smoked and not truly BBQ. We got the pulled pork and brisket entrees. They came COVERED in a rich spicy sauce. The only thing I could taste was sauce. I could have been eating tofu for all I know. True BBQ should taste like meat with a balance of smoke and spice. This was just a sickening mess of sauce. There was no bark at all on the pork, which was just a soggy mess that looked like it sat in a crock pot. No visible smoke ring on the brisket, which looked like it was sliced yesterday, reheated, and placed in a crock pot. It is a true shame that people equate sauce with BBQ, because properly prepared and smoked meat is so delicious without any sauce. 1 star for good service, good beer, and corn bread. Please Engine 22, buy a smoker and make me smell delicious hickory smoke as I drive past and walk in to the place. Slice your brisket to order. Don't hide behind your sauce. Let your meat and smoking technique speak for themselves. Until then, Famous Daves and my backyard are the best BBQ options in town.
(1)
Drew W.
I try to keep my reviews short and to the point so that people will actually read them so here we go. My BBQ spot of choice in delco is Pig Daddy'z but they close at 7 for some reason so I tried Engine23. Honey habanero wings- pretty solid however i did not taste any spice from the habanero. My one dislike is that when i dipped my first wing in the blue cheese, i found out that they actually gave me sour cream.. I dont know if they confused the two or what but it was disappointing. Pulled pork was tasty but a little too wet with sauce. The sauce was good, a sweet bbq flavor but they just went a little over board for my taste. My sides were mac n cheese that might have been good if they didnt put a nor eastern of crumbled cheese-its on top, and the bean baked beans. The combination of beans did not do it for me. if they used normal beans i think they would have been good but that was not the case. The corn bread was good, possibly the best part of the meal. Overall I think the place has potential and i would be willing to try it again but Pig Daddy'z will remain my delco BBQ joint of choice.
(2)
Mic S.
So first off I'm a big fan of engine 23 but boy did you drop the ball on Father's Day, no ribs no brisket n no BBQ chicken, wtf?! As I ate my pulled pork ( the only thing BBQ that was available) I must of seen 25 customers walk out, looked as if the waitstaff was truly mortified to tell incoming customers that they had no BBQ food, I actually felt bad for them ( it wasn't their fault!) & could ya tell the workers in back to just fill a cooler of beer while drinking on the job, smh! Get back on the ball guys!!!!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Accepts Bitcoin : No Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Tom E.
I'm betting this is the only authentic smokehouse barbecue/ Italian restaurant in the tri-state area. As I understand it, the owner of Tavanis had a passion for participating in barbecue competitions so he decided to open a place that offers both types of cuisine. The restaurant is comfortable - a good number of tables and booths throughout, bar seating, well lit and inviting. Sat at the bar and was waited on by Maci - a great server. Ask for her. Had BBQ on the mind so I ordered a sampler platter. It included some ribs, chicken and beef brisket. Sides were corn on the cob and Mac and cheese. The ribs were delicious. Obviously spent hours in the smoker and had that pink ring you want that shows it was done right. They were tender and tasty. The brisket was good. Not great but great brisket is hard to find. The chicken was a thigh and leg. I'm a white meat guy but the leg tasted good. The house made BBQ sauce was great. The corn was fresh and I liked the Mac and cheese. Had two ice cold Stella's while I watched the TV or talked Game of Thrones with Macy. Huge beer selection and full bar! Brought home a huge plate of leftovers for tomorrow. Met the owner who was a great guy. You can tell he loves what he's doing and it comes through in the food. Ironically, this is down the street from mediocre par boiled chain restaurant Famous Daves. If you want good BBQ do not go there! Come to the Engine - you'll be glad you did. Next time I'll try the Italian!
(4)L K.
If you've eaten at Barbacoa in Ardmore, it is pretty hard to top. So I have to give my rating based on comparison to how good Barbacoa is, and Engine 23 Smokehouse just isn't in the same league. What we ate in order of most pleasing to least pleasing: CORNBREAD This was our favorite of all we had at Engine 23. The cornbread is moist, flavorful, has a nice texture, and the maple butter is very good as well. The only place with better cornbread around here is French Quarter Cafe in Royersford, which has the best cornbread I have ever had (in addition to excellent Cajun/Creole food). MAC N CHEESE Decent mac n cheese, MUCH better than the junk they serve at Jimmy's BBQ in Malvern, but not as good as Barbacoa's mac n cheese. This did seem like it was a baked mac n cheese, which is normally what people look for with good BBQ. But the flavors were not outrageously memorable, and Barbacoa uses better quality cheese. RIBS Little bit dry but still tender and not chewy. But they seem to rely too much on their very spiced sauce to get flavor. The smoke flavor was in the sauce, not the meat, and good BBQ does not need a super-strong sauce because the meat should speak for itself. BRISKET Another reviewer said the brisket tasted like what is in crockpots across Delco, and that is not really saying good things about the quality of the meat cooking. I would have to agree with that. As with the ribs, it seems the over-spicey strong sauce is trying to compensate for the lack of slow-cooked good flavor and juicy tenderness that should be going on in the meats. COLESLAW Tangy-er tasting than many coleslaws, not a heavy mayo taste. Cabbage was crisp. FRENCH FRIES Seasoned with mild spices (not everyone's taste, probably better left alone). They weren't cooked crispy or with any crunch to them, kind of soft. COLLARD GREENS They had bacon in them which is a nice idea, but they were really soft (like canned foods get when they sit in water in a can forever), and they tasted overcooked. Overall the place was okay, but when I can opt for Barbacoa in Ardmore, I will make the trip there instead.
(3)Brian L.
I can't use the actual f word I would like... however this establishment is fantastic! I believe it to be exactly what a traditional smokehouse bbq should be! Food awesome with portions beyond satisfaction, the house made sauces are a positive enhancements to their perfectly cooked meats. As the service, I must say is top quality, in particular Dan is absolutely a dear! I am sure to make this a weekly regular occurrence.
(5)Phil M.
we picked up takeout on a sunday afternoon. The staff were friendly and the place was clean. There was a nice beer selection which is a plus. We did not sit for beer. The parking is Horrible. Spaces are limited and right off of a main road. Seating is small uncomfortable picnic type tables. The food was just ok. I had the brisket. The sauce is tasty but the meat and the mac and cheese were both dry. The entree portion was small for the price but the sides were plenty, just not very good. This was the first time eating here and I would go back, if nothing else was open and someone else was driving.
(2)Kristin N.
Fast service, excellent brisket, steaming hot and well seasoned fries!! We stopped after work for a quick dinner. We took the last available table but there were seats at the bar too. Parking was a little tight, but we found a spot. I would highly recommend!
(5)Blaine P.
I tried a chili and pulled pork sandwich. My coworker tried the medium ribs with coleslaw. The place was not crowded. It's kind of a pub atmosphere. They have a bar and beer case so pick your poison. More importantly, the meats were excellent. Great texture with a good flavor profile. Ribs had a nice smoke ring. Chili could use a little more heat but improved greatly with a little tobacco sauce. I would recommend this place over anything else we have tried in the area so far including Famous Daves which is right down the street. My only knock on the place was the time it took to get our food even though we were the only patrons in the restaurant when we started.
(4)Chris C.
Wow.....tried this place after reading the reviews on Yelp. I have to say its the best bbq I've had since I was in Nashville many years ago. The pulled pork is life-changing.....the chicken....amazing.....brisket quite good too....not dry like some reviews said. I am definitely coming back. And as an added bonus they have Tavani's favorites....I lived around the corner from Tavani's in the early 1990s and miss their food.....so even more reasons to eat here. You won't find a better bbq place in this area.
(5)Mike R.
I like this place, really... I do. I was there the day it opened and have stopped by from time to time. Unfortunately, nothing here really pulls you back in. They have a great beer selection for takeout as well as some intriguing drafts at the bar. The menu has your typical BBQ dishes and is presented straight forward. The menu is small but in my opinion that is a good thing. First thing is first. The wings here are really amazing! They also have a decent selection of house made sauces and I hope to try each one at some point. When I usually order wings I almost ALWAYS ask for them well done. There is nothing worse than a soggy wing that has no crunch. At Engine 23, this is not required. Wings are crispy, meaty and tender. The thing that really throws me off and the reason why I have to deduct two stars is the ribs. They aren't doing something right with these. Dry, odd texture, not enough sauce/rub to really bring out the flavor of the meat. They have a nice smokey flavor but nothing else to compliment that. I would say give this place a try. Great wings, great side dishes like mac n' cheese. Just don't expect to be blown away by the ribs.
(3)Pam T.
Excellent place to eat!! Their BBQ is top notch and their Italian food is great!! You won't be disappointed. It's a pretty extensive menu weather Italian or BBQ!! I waited to write a review until I did multiple trips and now that I've been here a few times its been consistent and awesome! Definitely recommend!!!
(4)Kathryn N.
Much needed in this area!! So far, I have been here twice and I was definitely satisfied both times! The first time we tried Engine 23, we did takeout and got the brisket. The brisket was good, but not as good as Big Daddy'z in Ridley. The sauce on the brisket was tasty and not too overpowering the meat. The meat could have been a little more tender, but still good, especially for this area. The second time we dined in and got the pulled pork; that was delicious! SO tender and cooked just right! Again, the sauce was just right Both times I got the Mac and cheese and fries as my sides and they are both very good and definitely above average! The Mac and cheese is very cheesy and even has a nice crunch on the top (cheez-it's maybe), and the fries are seasoned perfectly with bbq spice. The menu is loaded with so many options that I will definitely be going to back to make my way around! Also, they have a full bar, so that's a plus for anyone that would go with me that wants a drink (I'm not really a drinker)! Another refreshing aspect to Engine 23 is that their staff is very friendly and attentive! That is like almost unheard of around here!!
(4)Leonard N.
We stopped by on a Sunday around noon and the place was just beginning to get busy. A grill master was outside working his magic because whatever he had on the grill filled the air with this perfect aroma of meat, marinade and wood. I'm not a BBQ restaurant critic, but what we ate was quite impressive. The portions were just right and the choices for side dishes good. We got mac and cheese, collard greens, corn bread and coleslaw and all were very tasty. For the meat, we got ribs and beef brisket - both very tender and very flavorful. They have an excellent bar and offer plenty of take out choices. Overall, service was quick and pleasant. The restaurant and restrooms were clean as well. We'll definitely be back.
(4)Theodore W.
I was extremely excited when I saw a small BBQ joint open in my town. I have found famous daves to be more of an Applebee's then real BBQ. Unfortunately what I found at engine 23 was not BBQ at all and this is why: When you enter the restaurant, you do not smell smoke. None at all. This is the first sign that their food is not properly smoked and not truly BBQ. We got the pulled pork and brisket entrees. They came COVERED in a rich spicy sauce. The only thing I could taste was sauce. I could have been eating tofu for all I know. True BBQ should taste like meat with a balance of smoke and spice. This was just a sickening mess of sauce. There was no bark at all on the pork, which was just a soggy mess that looked like it sat in a crock pot. No visible smoke ring on the brisket, which looked like it was sliced yesterday, reheated, and placed in a crock pot. It is a true shame that people equate sauce with BBQ, because properly prepared and smoked meat is so delicious without any sauce. 1 star for good service, good beer, and corn bread. Please Engine 22, buy a smoker and make me smell delicious hickory smoke as I drive past and walk in to the place. Slice your brisket to order. Don't hide behind your sauce. Let your meat and smoking technique speak for themselves. Until then, Famous Daves and my backyard are the best BBQ options in town.
(1)Drew W.
I try to keep my reviews short and to the point so that people will actually read them so here we go. My BBQ spot of choice in delco is Pig Daddy'z but they close at 7 for some reason so I tried Engine23. Honey habanero wings- pretty solid however i did not taste any spice from the habanero. My one dislike is that when i dipped my first wing in the blue cheese, i found out that they actually gave me sour cream.. I dont know if they confused the two or what but it was disappointing. Pulled pork was tasty but a little too wet with sauce. The sauce was good, a sweet bbq flavor but they just went a little over board for my taste. My sides were mac n cheese that might have been good if they didnt put a nor eastern of crumbled cheese-its on top, and the bean baked beans. The combination of beans did not do it for me. if they used normal beans i think they would have been good but that was not the case. The corn bread was good, possibly the best part of the meal. Overall I think the place has potential and i would be willing to try it again but Pig Daddy'z will remain my delco BBQ joint of choice.
(2)Mic S.
So first off I'm a big fan of engine 23 but boy did you drop the ball on Father's Day, no ribs no brisket n no BBQ chicken, wtf?! As I ate my pulled pork ( the only thing BBQ that was available) I must of seen 25 customers walk out, looked as if the waitstaff was truly mortified to tell incoming customers that they had no BBQ food, I actually felt bad for them ( it wasn't their fault!) & could ya tell the workers in back to just fill a cooler of beer while drinking on the job, smh! Get back on the ball guys!!!!
(2)