This is the best place for BBQ lunch in Dallas. The staff is friendly and it's a great price for a whole lot of food.
(5)
Diane D.
I have to agree with Jose S. on his review. This is a great place to come if you're hungry. This is a little hole in the wall located in south Dallas. We arrived early around 11:40 and the line was already long and starting to wrap around in the tiny little front part of the converted house. They have plenty of seating on the other side of the wall and the line moved fairly fast so no complaints on that front. My co-worker and I split the "Shak Platter" and it came with PLENTY O' FOOD for both of us! It had grilled chicken, boudin, sliced brisket, ribs, and two vegetables. I don't recall what kind of vegetables we ordered but they were just 'ight. If you're hungry, it's not bad, but for the price - it's a bargain! $15 bucks for a huge amount of food. The highlight of this trip was the old school 70's funk music they were playing (Parliament, Funkadelics, Jackson 5)! I was really diggin' the music more than I was the food. This was a one & done experience for me - not bad, but not worth going back.
(3)
Jon W.
When reviewing Baby Back Shak, I need to be fair and break down exactly what I ate into separate small reviews because of how polarizing the ingredients are that I tasted. So, let's starts what I enjoyed: The ribs. They were great, plain and simple. I suppose I should have guessed that from a place called "Baby Back Shak," but either way, these puppies were tender and smokey. Paired with the vinegar-based BBQ sauce and you have yourself a great combination. Let's move onto the brisket. It was different. I'm not sure if it was "bad," but it certainly didn't have the great flavor of the ribs. However, dip into the sauce and you'll be good to go. Now, the sides. Well, the double-serving of corn that I got was not good. It clearly came straight from a can. I realize that people don't come here for the sides, but I still believe a side-dish should compliment the meal, and the corn didn't. On to the sausage...another disappointment. Again, not their speciality. It was extremely dry and simply couldn't be rescued by the sauce. In conclusion, I would recommend this place for the ribs. They were some of the best I've had. The service was quick and the overall atmosphere was everything I expected. It felt like any other small-time BBQ joint in St. Louis, Memphis or KC -- and that's not a bad thing.
(3)
Mitchy M.
BBQ is probably the most subjective kind of food in Texas. With that being said, my experience was just okay. As a native Texan, I judge a good bbq spot on their ribs and their brisket. In my opinion, everything revolves around those 2 things on the menu. I arrived around 11:30am on a weekday. I think that was a good thing, because the line got increasingly long the closer it got to the noon hour. The drinks are self serve.. sodas, ice tea and lemonade. They were playing old school Michael Jackson, which i'm a huge fan off. The decor is typical smokehouse decor. Nothing fancy or anything to worry about ruining if you splatter some extra bbq sauce while you're grubbing down in the corner. I ordered the Shak Platter. Basically it's ribs, brisqket, boudin, sausage links, with 2 sides. I bet that plate weighs 3 pounds. It's well worth the $15 cost. As far as my bbq tastes go, the ribs and sausage links were average. I like my ribs wet & fall off the bone. These were more of a dry & a bit more firm. The boudin wasn't spicy.. it was mild (not sure if I had a option to order spicy). The chicken was a bit dry for my tastes. The jewel was the brisket. It has flavor and was tender, which means there's some TALENT on that BBQ grill in the back. I ordered beans and potato salad for my sides. I'm a fan of the potato salad, but i think i'll trade out the beans for cole slaw next time. I didn't order a desert, but I wish I had. I will go back for the brisket! The Shak Platter was enough food for 3 people.. so I had left overs for a couple days. I gave Baby Back Shak 3 stars.. mostly because i wasn't impressed by the ribs. The staff is great. They are polite, friendly and efficient. And with out ribs.. it's just a shak.
(3)
AP R.
A friend introduced me to this little gem yesterday. I am fairly picky when it comes to the 'que so listen up! I had a half rack of ribs, cole slaw and Shak beans. The ribs were super meaty and were perfectly done. There was a very small smoke ring and the flavor was of meat--not smoke. I was not belching smoke all night (you know what I mean!!). The beans were ranch style tasting which would have offended me had they not had a generous amount of ground beef added to them. The cole slaw was the vinegar style with celery seeds visible but not overwhelming the taste. The side of sauce they out with my to go order was the perfect accompaniment to the meat. 2 pieces of loaf bread were included and I gleefully SOPPED UP all the goodness that was waiting for me in the bottom of my to go container! I will be back and I will try other meat! This place ROCKS the cedars! YUM !
(5)
Bob G.
I dunno ... I have very mixed feelings about the Baby Back Shak. The ribs were superb, the brisket was quite good, and everything else was so-so meh. With the exception of a sausage-like thing called the Cajun Boudain which I thought was really nasty but what do I know as I have never had anything like that before and had never heard of it so I have no basis for comparison.
(3)
Paige G.
So when I get asked where the best place to go for bbq is, this place is the only place I'd ever recommended. This hole in the wall is always busy. If you're a first timer and want to try a bit of everything, order the Shak's sampler. This offers smoked chicken, ribs, brisket, and a twice stuffed sausage that is damn good. This plate costs about $18 but will literally feed 3 if not 4 people. Yea, I know, that's an ambiguous thing to say. This also comes with all of the fixings. Damnit, I've made My own mouth water.
(5)
Allyson D.
It was ok, but wasn't worth the $42 we spent. My husband order the grilled chicken and it wasn't smoked and the brisket was a little dry.
(3)
Robin H.
Great old fashioned Barbecue. Had ribs and homemade sausage the sauce was little thin but once I put it on my meat had to careful not to bite my fingers it was so good. Potato salad was a little tart (but still really tasty )to me but the baked beans were finger lickin' good just like the Ribs and homemade sausage that they make there. Great barbecue spot.
(4)
Jose S.
Hmm, pass. Unless you're super hungry, then come right in. Why? Because the shak platter is nothing short of a TON of food. Good lord is it a lot. I couldn't finish half of it and had to take the rest home. The platter came with chicken, brisket, ribs, and sausage. I got beans and boudain as the sides. Yep, you can order boudain as a side. Those boudain links are giant, and I got 2 in one side. Honestly, I think between the beans and the boudain, I enjoyed the sides more than any of the individual meats. I'm not really familiar with this style. Almost seems east Texan maybe. Doesn't resemble any Memphis Q I've had, but that was only one trip I've made to Memphis so I dunno. What I do know is that the brisket was undercooked and not tender. The chicken had a flavor I couldn't quite put my finger on. Wasn't terrible, but I wasn't licking my lips or fingers either. Kinda peppery/vinegary...I didn't care for it really. I guess pretty much all the meats were forgettable and just not something I'd recommend. Not bad by any means, but there are better options for good Q. The value though is pretty much unbeatable. For $15, you can feed 2 people no problem with that Shak Platter.
(3)
Chris M.
I almost don't want to review this place because it is so good I may not be able to get back in the door once everyone tries this place. I say it is the best I have had in Texas. No one can beat the taste or the service!
(5)
Cecilè C.
I decided while getting lost (sorry, dallas GPS goes PHUNK at times) to search for a local barbecue place. Glad I did. The energy was great, staff recommended without hesitation the brisket. The brisket was tasty, I definitely recommend along with the beans. The menu is pretty simple but the food was good. Recommend
(3)
Jared K.
Apparently both the Shak's interior and exterior recently got a complete overhaul. It has a hoppin' jazzy atmosphere. The dining room is clean and open and slightly trendy, which is par for the course in Dallas, but not necessarily for barbecue joints in general. This all seems to fit with their stated slogan: "Taste the sound of Memphis BBQ." It's hard to resist their namesake Shak's Platter, which comes with sausage, ribs, brisket, chicken, and boudain. You also get two sides, for which I picked potato salad and Shak's beans. When I unboxed my order at home, I found a massive pile of meat, which was quite the bargain considering the $15.00 price tag. The potato salad had a nice creamy texture, coupled with a good crunch from the veggies. It was pleasantly sweet, and had a good mild mustardy taste. The beans were packed with flavor. They were sweet and spicy at the same time. I wasn't quite sure how to begin this meaty smorgasbord, so I picked the sausage links at random. They were nice and crisp. These links definitely had some kick to them, though not as much as traditional hot links. I found a good garlic flavor too. The chicken breast was decently tender and moist, which can be quite a challenge to accomplish on the pit. I liked the seasoning blend, but didn't find as much smoke as I'd hoped for. That being said, the overall flavor was very good. Next came the brisket, which had a beautiful black crust and a pronounced smoke ring. It was melt-in-your-mouth tender. There was also plenty of smoke to go around. I found it hard to stop eating the brisket once I got started. The boudain (or, more commonly, boudin) came in the form of a giant link. Its filling was perfectly creamy and rich with flavor, with a good amount of heat in each bite. The rice wasn't the least bit al dente. It also didn't have that sticky texture that far too often plagues boudin sausage. Last but not least, the ribs. Despite this joint's name, spare ribs are the only kind you'll find here. These had some good bark and a nice smoky red hue. They were cooked perfectly, with each bite coming away clean. No "falling-off-the-bone" nonsense. There was good smoke flavor in each bite. These weren't quite the Memphis-style ribs I was anticipating, more like a Memphis-Texas hybrid, with really delicious results. I'm glad I finally got the opportunity to try out Baby Back Shak. They may have been snubbed by Texas Monthly, but rest assured, they've got some damn fine barbecue.
(5)
Jazyie 9.
Best BBQ in DFW!!!!!! I can never decide between the wing plate and tge chopped beef baked potato, so I usually get both!!!!!!! The sides are all perfect and the lemonade is perfectly sweetened and yummie!!!!! Whenever I go, I usually have to get extra orders for co-workers and friends to go. I have been eating here with my family for over 12 years and this place has been consistently serving delicious food over the years!!!!
(5)
Re M.
So I went here for a late lunch. The lady at the counter was very friendly which was a plus as a Baby Back Shak virgin. Ordered food, got my syrofoam cup and fixed my drink right to the left of the counter and went to find a seat. I wanted water, but the container the water was sitting in didn't look too clean to me and the water appeared to have a slight tint. I opted for Gold Peak from the Gold Peak machine. My food came out within 5 - 7 minutes. I ordered half a cornish hen and green beans. The hen was seasoned with their "family secret" recipe rub and the green beans with chicken and a ton of pepper. I personally like flavor to my food and this wasn't seasoned to my liking. I'm from Louisiana, so I know what seasoning is and how to season food. By the way, the food came out in styrofoam containers as well. It is a hole in the wall and has a hole in the wall feel, but it looks clean. The nice guy that brought the food out also picked up my styrofoam containers when done. Maybe I have to order other things to see what the hype is all about, but honestly I can cook this myself. Oh and the potato salad is mustard style and they definitely add sugar to it which is not needed since sweet relish is also used. Will I go again, probably so, but only if I am in the area and want to go somewhere close.
(2)
Arielle H.
I'm never disappointed with the food here. It's not a sit down place, more like a order your food to go. They always have ribs that are so tender and flavorful and fall right off the bone ( this is without BBQ sauce!!!) The menu is nothing fancy, just you standard BBQ, but every single thing is delicious! Worth every penny
(5)
Mark C.
Nothing but the facts, ma'am. This place is great... as long as you know you are going for the food not the ambiance. Of course if you are looking for good ribs in the DFW area, you likely value the flavor of the food over the white table cloth experience anyway. Everything is served in to go containers, even if you eat in... so get ready. What else is there to say? You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Gabriel D.
Great Food! Large portions! Amazing ribs! This place was packed and I can see why! We loved every bite.
(4)
Travise L.
Ridiculous BBQ! Food for days! A must have while in Dallas. Do yourself a favor and check it out.
(5)
Tim V.
I've read lots of good reviews--specifically about their ribs. Today, they were terrible. And the beef was worse. Both were poorly cooked and ended up tough, not tender. The ribs didn't want to come off the bone and the sliced beef was tough and flavorless...worse than Dickey's. Good sides though, and nice people. But, even if this was an off day, I'd rather not come back. I don't think any legitimate barbecue place should ever, even on their worst day, serve meat that bad.
(2)
Joey R.
Place is nice and quick, sauce is thin and IMO doesn't taste good at all. I got the link sandwich, it wasn't good to me at all. Almost a licorice taste to it, a real strong fennel... It was reheated in a micro I'm almost sure. The potato salad was on point and good. Down the street is off the bone bbq I recommend that place.
(2)
Teresa D.
I'm going against the grain here. If I took off a star for rude, rude, rude this would be no better than a 2 star review due to someone's atti2ude. I'd say it's average good BBQ but I was disappointed before I even saw all of these good reviews from other trusted Yelpees. The attitude was bad enough that you'd normally speak to a manager, but this isn't that kind of place. I asked one simple question before anyone else was in line. "Are the ribs a dry rub, or more of a wet rub mopped style"? I guess this question was just flat out unacceptable. My first impression (besides the rude factor) was not a problem being that it is indeed Shak-eqsue if you will ;). No problem. It's a BBQ joint with a cute name, and I'm here for the meat and don't need more than a roll of paper towels. So my friend and I stood at the menu board pondering what all we were gonna slop all over our faces. The ribs come with the sauce on the side by the way. While we debated everything that sounded great we let others go in front of us and didn't dare ask any more questions. Then as we're standing there minding our own business she literally said "Well why don't you all let me know when you make up your minds". The tone was incredible, and I'm pretty sure I heard the F-bomb under her breath. I would have left if I had known the food was going to be so average but we both wanted to try it so badly and didn't let her discourage our high hopes. So we didn't take it personally and ordered more than we knew we could finish. Food wise - we were personally not thrilled. I didn't think the ribs weren't anything special. They were way too fatty and I didn't get much good meat considering we split a whole slab. Most of it was wasted and ready for the dogs. Our sides were so-so with the best being the beans. You might love them since I'm not usually a bean fan and thought these were pretty good and different from your standard place. The chopped beef sandwich seemed like it had the leavin's of parts that I don't want. This always makes me skeptical of a chopped beef sandwich on a first BBQ visit, but he wanted it, so I tried it. The sauce was pretty good, but I still ended up eating very little of the dry, fatty meat. I ended up eating mostly bread with cole slaw, and onions with the beans. Not really my idea of BBQ, but I made my own sandwich and didn't leave hungry by any means. All in all it was BBQ that may be decent but nothing more in our minds and doesn't compare to so many places here or elsewhere. I'm much happier at Smokey Johns with the true cafeteria set up that works and they are nice beyond belief! It may have been an off day for the food and this woman, but I don't feel the need to go back and find out. I'll make a road trip to Rendezvous first. Oh well. The dogs were thrilled with their own little Thanksgiving. The website may help ya avoid the menu dilemma since there's quite a bit to choose from. babybackshak.com Too bad I didn't see this before we went. They are closed on Sundays and open M-Th 11-5:45 and Fri, Sat 11-6:45. Don't ask me! ;) Or that woman for that matter : D
(3)
Kenneth M.
I have frequented Baby Back Shaq for years, since moving to South Side On Lamar. BBS food is consistently good, the cuts of meat are high quality, and I have never left unsatisfied with the size of their servings or the price. Because they allow you to have Boudain as a side, they will FOREVER be one of my favorites!!
(5)
At D.
Texas is BBQ and football I ran across this place after viewing Hungry Investors this place was pitted against Billy Oak Acres BBQ which I tried also I will explain later who should have won. I ordered pretty much everything on the menu to see what's was really good instead of just focusing on their brisket which is what they are known for. Just like the show Hungry Investors pointed out their brisket was being over cook and didn't have a smoke ring well same with the brisket I ordered it was dry over cooked and without a smoke ring pretty much everything I ate was dry from the chicken to the links all the way to the ribs. I'm very disappointed in a place I had high hopes for. If I could choose between this place and Billy Oak Acres I'd choose neither they both lack and overall goodness and quality of taste even though Billy's Oak Acres had the better brisket in my own opinion. I know ppl will take my opinion and discount it but I have test tasted all over the US and I know good food this place isn't one. Name alone don't make your food any better and I guessing had the show Hungry Investors not showed up this place would still be struggling. They only get two stars cuz the staff was friendly you take that out and they would have no stars. Try Avery's BBQ in Arlington,tx if u need some good BBQ to compare it to.
(2)
Brandi N.
I haven't eaten ribs anywhere else in TX and liked it. I liked these. I finished these. I stuffed myself with these. I licked my fingers and sucked the bones and ... well, they were good. There was a LOT of flavor in these. They were a little spicy from the black pepper as well as the jalapenos included in the bowl. There were also onions at the bottom of that heap. I actually had NO desire to add sauce and I am a person who really, really, really loves sauce on everything. I was so determined to eat the sauce that I ended up dipping my bread in the sauce and, when the bread ran out, I ate the sauce with a spoon. Still, I didn't even notice they had given me sauce until the last rib. The beans were good too though I like my beans sweeter. These beans tasted more like chilli which I'm guessing is fantastic for people who love chilli. I do like that there was ground meat in the beans like somebody's grandma made them. Overall, I could definitely see myself leaving my house to get this BBQ again.
(4)
Dick C.
Not much effort put into sides, forgettable bbq sauce, ribs should be avoided (clearly reheated and mostly fat), they were out of brisket, boudin was ok, chicken was quite good, hot links were nothing special. So I would recommend the chicken....
(2)
Yolanda G.
This barbecue place is good for the money. Lunch was $7 plus tax for a rib sandwich and one side dish. Ribs were pretty good but the beans were amazingly delicious! They give you too much food but I'm not complaining cause again it was delicious.
(4)
Amos W.
This is my Favorite Bar-B-Que spot in the DFW & IF you can handle it try My Favorite plate that is the Shak Platter but Please you must have a appetite because I'm a Big Man & when I get this platter I usually eat on it for about 2 days!!The Service is "Great" Keep up The Good work Mr.Clarence!!
(5)
Jennifer M.
Walk up ordering, self serve drinks. Very friendly and helpful staff. Ribs were very tender, brisket had great smoke and bark, but was a bit tough. The sauce is sweet but original. Great place, but not so great location.
(4)
Phil G.
I came here maybe two years ago with some co-workers, and my memory of that experience is good. The place was packed, the food was good, and the service was adequate. This time, I again went with co-workers, and we went early to beat the huge crowds. To my surprise, the place was practically empty. When we went to place our orders, the lady taking our orders was downright rude - not quite sure why. Then when I ordered a pork sandwich, she said she's out of pork. OUT OF PORK. At a BBQ place. At 11:15 in the morning. So... I ordered the "rib sandwich." What I got was bone-in ribs - how am I supposed to eat a "sandwich" with individual ribs with bones? So basically it was ribs with a side of bread. And the ribs weren't all that great, either. The flavor was a bit off, and they weren't very meaty. I don't know if they were just having an off day or what, but it was a very disappointing experience.
(2)
dean d.
I wanted to sample everything so I ordered the Shak's Platter for lunch. This has it all: Ribs (delicious), sliced brisket (ok), chicken (perfect), Boudain (boring), hot links (average); I got the green beans (peppery good) and shak's beans (amazing). All for $13.99. I'm stuffed.
(3)
Darren B.
Hands down, these are the best ribs I have ever eaten. No sauce needed. Perfect. I am glad I found this place, because I've tried ribs from everywhere (Hard 8, Bartley's, Feed Store, Outback :/ , Sonny Bryan's, Portillo's) and they can't compare. And if you want to try something new, try the Andouille sausage. It's fantastic, especially if you like French/Creole style pork dishes. I like it as much as the ribs. Two great foods in one place! Good service, simple, clean, good size portions, self serve fountain drinks and tea. And a great value! I tried the brisket, pulled pork, and smoked sausage and I am not a fan at all. All three seem like an afterthought to round out the menu. If you go, resist the temptation and stick with the ribs and Andouille sausage. That's where the money is.
(4)
Solomon W.
OK, Baby Back Shak offered pretty close to what may be the worst BBQ experience I have ever had. It almost got 2 stars for actually producing smoked animal parts that somewhat resembled actual BBQ. To that note, minus one star for not allowing meat by the pound. Absolutely ridiculous. My brisket was honestly some of the driest brisket around. There were parts that had that weird "grey" tinge, and you could just tell it was far overcooked. The "smoke ring" dissipated into a gross, dark brown sort of exterior. I suppose the first mistake I made was ordering cattle at a joint called Baby Back Shak. Could it be that this highly acclaimed BBQ establishment is just a fluke? I sure think so... you would do best to swing around the corner (literally down the street) to Off The Bone. Again, not spectacular, but certainly better. Goodness gracious. Additionally, half pounds here are not super affordable, running you roughly $7. Plus, you don't even get to see them smoking or cutting to order. They have a kitchen in the back, and that is just heresy. Just to show you the "evidence", I have posted a picture of the "inedible" portion of my 1/2 lb. order. I would say over 1/2 of my 1/2 lb. order was NAC. Not available for consumption. Yikes. Please see the picture! Gross BBQ. Not superb atmosphere. And just.... not good.
(1)
Jen T.
We were waiting in a long line for Pecan Lodge at Farmer's Market because we were told it has the best barbecue ever and noticed that a slim pickings sign was on the guy that was twenty people ahead of us so we started chatting with other line goers and found out about Baby Back shak. I'm glad we went because it was pretty good, I love their barbecue sauce, it wasn't too sweet, or thick, it was just right. I got a loaded baked potato that was pretty awesome, but after eating half of my sliced beef sandwich I could barely scarf it down. I liked the food, and I like that it's not a crowded place and that you don't have to wait in a hour and a half line and get slim pickings if you don't get there early. I'll definitely be going back when I'm on that side of town.
(4)
Secily H.
Love it! The green beans are rockin and the BBQ is the best!! I will drive across town to go here over any other BBQ joint! Also the koolaid is sugary goodness
(5)
Shar A.
Was eager to try since the TV show. I didn't like the ribs or the sauce, but the potato salad and beans were good.
(3)
Randy N.
We ate at the Baby Back Shak today and it was great. I had the "Shak's Platter" which included chicken, hot link, brisket, spare ribs, baby back ribs, and EVEN boudain were on my plate. My sides were potato salad and the Shak's Beans (told the beans where the cashier's favorite). The boudain was great. I'm pretty sure it was from the boudain company out of Houston, the hot links were good, the ribs were incredible and they had a lot of course pepper on them (the clear highlight of the meal and better than Pecan Lodge's ribs), the chicken was average, the brisket was a bit on the dry side and average (not even in the same ballpark as Pecan Lodge's brisket), the potato salad was plain and average and the Shak's beans were awesome! The atmosphere was perfect with jazz playing and jazz art on the walls and the service was very friendly and they get the food out really quick. When you walk in it's exactly what you want to see in a great BBQ joint. Overall... the experience was very good and we had a great time there. However, I'm not sure why they give you so much bread. We had close to a loaf of bread given to us between the 3 of us. On a 1 to 10 scale I give it a 7 1/2.
(4)
Megan M.
I've had Baby Back Shak on my radar forever and based on my trusted Yelper's reviews, I was sure that Baby Back Shak would be an instant winner. Very rarely does Yelp ever let me down. This is such an occasion. I guess my expectations were too high. Maybe I hit them on an off day. Or something. It started so well. The hole-in-the-wall building in a seedy part of town, the aroma wall that met us when we walked through the front door, all signs pointed to outstanding BBQ. No fried okra? Mkay. No peach cobbler? A'ight. We got a rack and a half of ribs ($16.79), a small potato salad ($3.49), a large beans ($4.49) and a large buttered corn ($4.49). For $31.67, we thought we had a bad ass meal to take home. Not so much. The ribs were...just a'ight. They had some decent flavor on their own but when paired with the weak BBQ sauce, they faded into mediocre territory. I know BBQ enthusiasts say that ribs should be eaten dry, but I'm a sauce kinda girl. A good BBQ sauce will step up weak ribs. Just like a weak sauce will downgrade average ribs. The potato salad was a huge disappointment as well. The only saving grace for this meal - and the only reason this review got bumped to 3 stars from 2.5 - were the beans and corn. Holy crap, those beans are something else. They're almost like chili, but not quite. Outstanding flavor, great texture. The buttered corn was what every soul food restaurant aspires to serve. Baby Back Shak isn't bad BBQ, but it isn't something I'd seek out again. The hunt for worthy BBQ continues...
(3)
Joseph F.
Good ribs, I had the rib sandwich which is basically just four ribs with two slices of bread. I got coleslaw as my side dish and found it to be heavy on the vinegar. It tasted like the tea and lemonade were both made from powder, that was the main down part for me. The other people I went with got the chopped brisket, sliced brisket, and the sausage. They all liked what they had and said the brisket wasn't dried out, they also had the beans as their side and had good things to say about them as well. The lunch menu gives you plenty of food and by no means leaves you still hungry. It's a pretty good value if you order off the menu, otherwise it's like any other BBQ joint with most plates averaging $10+. I'll definitely be going back. FYI they have a small parking lot so it fills up quickly, small front dining room but more seating is available behind a small wall. They get very popular during lunch so it's a smart idea to call your order in ahead of time.
(3)
Marcus S.
All the time I've been coming to this place and I never knew Lee Harvey's was directly to the back of it until today. Learn something new all the time. I've come here plenty of times for lunch and I figure it's about time for a review, so here it goes. This is some pretty decent BBQ here folks. Not the best, but far from the worst. I've tried everything from ribs to cornish hen here and all of the meat has that good smoky flavor and the spices and dry rubs add some nice complimentary flavoring. The pork and beef are not the most tender, but I've had more tender meats from nearby spots (Off the Bone), that do not quite measure up to the overall taste of Baby Back Shak's. The BBQ sauce they provide is a tangy and sweet blend. Decent enough. The sides have ranged from good to okay. The sweet corn is very good and I make it a point to get it every time I go. The shak beans are not your typical BBQ beans but if you know what to expect they are actually pretty good. They are ranch style beans with a tangy sauce and some small chunks of ground beef. Green beans here are pretty good. I'm not a fan of the potato salad. Bottom line, I have yet to find great BBQ in Dallas proper, but I'm usually pretty satisfied with my lunch here and for now, it is my go to spot for some Q.
(3)
Mari M.
I'm from Memphis so I know good BBQ. I've eaten here several times and the food is really good, very flavorful. The sliced beef and chicken can be a lil dry at times. We always get the beans, there very good. Definitely worth a try.
(4)
Nadeem A.
I complained to some Yelpers that I didn't like BBQ. They countered by saying that I just haven't had good BBQ. And being the good Yelpers they are, a BBQ UYE was organized. And there was much rejoicing. (Yay!). So, I went in with an open mind and empty stomach and decided to order a wide variety of meats. I got a 3-meat plate (beef, chicken, turkey), with corn, potato salad, and a lemonade. The beef was dry. The turkey was salty. The corn was canned. The potato salad had a strong dill taste. If it not for the excellent chicken, I'd have been forced to eat Sir Robin's minstrels. I'll hold off on the The Hater's patented 1 or 2 star review, since TacoPop says the beef isn't normally that bad and a few of the other sides looked delicious (baked potato, beans). But the next time better impress. Anyway, it turns out that I do like BBQ, because I had awesome brisket in Memphis just the week before. It's a good thing I found that out before trying Baby Back Shak, or I might have had to swear off BBQ for life.
(3)
Lee C.
So apparently BBS will be increasing their prices this week. To be honest I've been expecting this for sometime. Their 3 meat combo is basically two meals for $12.00. I'm a big time eater, and Ive never finished all of my food. I couldn't imagine the price increase being that dramatic so I will be back !!!
(5)
Steve N.
I think this is the best BBQ I have had in DFW. The ribs are seasoned well with a dry rub. Sauce is served on the side but they don't need any. The boudain, beans, and green beans sides are excellent, all with a bit of heat. Don't miss the homemade cakes either. Take one to go if you don't have any room after devouring those delicious ribs.
(5)
Eddie H.
Wow...this place is a true hole in the wall! Took some clients to lunch and they suggested this place which I had never heard of. Got the brisket, ribs and sausage plate with Shak beans and 1/2 a baked potato. Mistakes were made lets just say that....this was more than enough food for two and it was just me going at it. The ribs fell off the bone and had a great peppery smokey flavor to them. The brisket was tender and moist and went well with the BBQ sauce. The only thing I wasnt a huge fan of was the sausage...they were more like hot links, and while not bad, did not compare to the brisket and ribs. The beans were also money chocked full of beef. I will definitely be back!
(4)
John H.
Awesome ribs this place is great and has very hefty portions the shack beans are a great side they are like baked beans but with meat amazing also the green beans are another hit with smoked chicken pieces in them yummmmmm. The place is dry rub ribs so the sauce is on the side I have been to all the other over hyped places like Salt Lick near Austin and they do not have anything on these Ribs. Best Ribs these lips have touched!!
(5)
Robbie G.
very good bbq. the ribs were the best I've had in Dallas proper. The two meat plate is a steal, especially if you order some boudin, as others recommended...and some of the shak beans. The shak beans are basically brisket chili... zaaang.
(4)
J M.
What a great place, it is in the up and coming Cedar's area and is the best of the old neighborhood. Do not expect china plates. This is a real good food place but no attempt on presentation. I moved it from 4 stars to 5 when I do dot consider atmosphere. Enjoy it.
(5)
Zac L.
Soulful Memphis Style BBQ joint. Good lunch place. I had the Sliced Beef sandwich. The beef was not as tender as I would like. Flavor of meet and sauce were both good. I will definitely be back to try their other offerings. The Bodain Sausage Rocks with flavor!
(4)
anthony g.
So much good here. Boudain. Ribs. Brisket. Spicy and delicious. My play is always the same: get the Shak's platter (think the five-meat plate), and split it between you and a friend. You'll get so much meat, so much deliciousness. Go with the shak's beans on the side. Deliriously wonderful.
(5)
Tonya C.
I had stopped eating beef and pork months before I was brought to Baby Back Shaq for lunch. With that said, when I walked in I was not at all impressed. I'm glad I didn't just sit down and whine about it because I would have missed out on trying their enormously huge potatoes. Looking at the menu and seeing a $5 potato, I had high expectations because at a fast food place that's an entire meal! When I got it, I was not disappointed. I was given this dinner plate size potato loaded with chicken, butter, cheese and barbecue sauce. It was so good, I got the point where I was taking breaks between eating just because I didn't want to throw any or it away. I will go so far to say delicious doesn't quite serve it justice and have to say it was delectable. In the mood for mouth-watering barbecue or just a head-size potato that can last you 2 or 3 meals- go to Baby Back Shaq. It is soooooo well worth it.
(4)
Audrey H.
This place seems to attract alot of locals which is great for them. But as a first-time visitor, I was really disappointed. I came in and the place had some customers sitting and eating but no line. I was greeted by a not-too-smiling girl who seemed like she just wanted to take our order just so she could go back to looking at her phone. My husband and I ordered two Shak's Platters because we wanted to try the mix of bbq that this place offered. Ohhh man, we should've ordered one. So much meat!!! The guy who brought us our food was very courteous which I appreciated. When I opened up my box, I saw 5 ribs, 3 or 4 brisket slices, 1 chicken breast, 1 huge rice-filled sausage, 2 meat sausages, and 2 sides. I was blown away from the huge portion of meat that I got. I came in very hungry thinking I could devour anything, but I was mistaken. The ribs looked like it had so much flavor because of all that rub that was covering it, but when I bit into it, it tasted surprisingly under-seasoned. I had to coat each bite with the bbq sauce (which at the end of the meal, I got sick of all that sour vinegar flavor). The ribs were also NOT fall-off-the-bone. They were more like stick-to-the-bone. The meat sausages were pretty salty and the brisket and chicken were pretty dry. For sides, we got potato salad, corn, and green beans. My husband said he loved his green beans. I tasted it and it had a nice rosemary flavor in it. The potato salad was ok but my corn was really sweet. There was so so much food that we had to take home about half of what we ordered. I have to say, the ribs tasted a little better after I reheated it in the oven, but the brisket and chicken became even more dry. And here's the weird part. Both times after I ate this food, I became extremely tired. That was some food coma. Both times! Something in that food made me exhausted and I even had a hard time driving home after the meal. Because of all the positive Yelp reviews, I wanted to like this place. But now that I've had it, I'm pretty sure I won't come back.
(2)
Shawn W.
Didnt taste smoked. Meh. That is all
(2)
Derrick T.
Mr. Shak was onsite to take our order and introduce to us the best foods he felt we should try for the day. I settled in on the three meat combo with a few sides, and found myself dealing with the itis the rest of the afternoon through my meetings. Ribs - Perhaps the star of the meal, excellent crust and tender meat with just enough toothsome chew to it. Flavor was excellent! Chicken - Slightly dry, but a little bit of their sauce helped bring out the star qualities of the bird. Link Sausage - Nice cuts, and excellent flavor. Boudain - Having never had boudain before, my first experience was really quite good. Decent snap to the wrapping, and the mixture of rice and meat was flavorful! Shak's beans - Unfortunately, I ate this so fast... I can hardly remember or describe these... I just know that I enjoyed the beans and was spooning it down. Verdict: Excellent BBQ and would definitely look to come back if in the Dallas area. I have some comparisons to do, but this was definitely a delicious meal for under $15 with a drink.
(4)
Molly T.
This little dive is south of I-30 near downtown Dallas. I discovered it last year, through an office potluck. I don't go there for the service, or lack of. I go there, and take my office friends there, for a taste of the dry rub style that is so Memphis! It's not health food but just good Q. The rib sandwich comes with about 6 ribs and a side, which I highly recommend the green beans. Even the Cornish Hen sandwich is tasty, and don't miss out on the cakes- delicious!
(3)
Nikki L.
We may be from New York, but we know good BBQ, and this definitely wasn't it. Despite being hungry, we ate about 2 bites of our sliced pork and beef before giving them up as inedible. The green beans and ranch beans were pretty ok. The store-bought bread was the best thing on the plate. Avoid.
(1)
Trevor L.
So I heard this is the closest thing to Off the Bone so I came here during my first visit to Texas. It was only 5 minutes from my hotel vs 35 minutes. All I have to say is, it's good enough for me to not be curious to venture off on a half mile drive for another bbq place. Coming from California, I never knew what "falls off the bone" good ribs were because most ribs that fell off the bone here, meant they were just boiled so long it was so dry, it boiled off the bone. Not the case here. My mouth is watering just thinking about those links, the rib meat.. sandwiched in the white break they give you, and slathered in their BBQ sauce. OMG it's so good. It's a hole in a wall sorta, but they actually take credit card, even AMEX. love love love this place. The girl helping me behind the counter was nice too, rather than trying to up-sell me on the large lemonade, she just suggested me to get the small and then get free refills. Haha. Good service, Good food, what more can you ask for.
(5)
Brad N.
I made my first visit to Baby Back Shak today with a fellow Yelp reviewer. Easy to find, even for an "Oklahoman" like myself. I selected a three meat platter with sausage, ribs and brisket; rounding out my platter was boudin sausage and "Shak's beans". I also sampled the turkey and pork as well as the green beans from my friend's plate. Here's a blow-by-blow, starting with the backup singers: Sauce: A moderately vinegar-y, not too sweet tomato based sauce with a definite but not overwhelming hot "kick". Definitely enjoyable. Shak's beans: Based on Ranch Style Beans, but with bits of meat and some of the sauce mixed in. Very, very enjoyable Green beans: The beans themselves were likely from a can, but had nice spices and bits of pork throughout. Not as good as the Shak's beans, but quite good nonetheless. Boudin sausage: Definite awesomeness. Very good flavor and texture; sure, it's an unusual find at a BBQ joint, but it's great stuff. Good balance of rice, meat and spices. Unfortunately the main event didn't fare quite as well, but there were some high points: Pork: A little dry, but tasted good. Could have used more salt. Turkey: Seasoned nicely with a little bit of smoke, fairly tasty. Sausage: More of a hot link, tasty enough, but very dry. Perhaps too much time in a dry warming area. Would be wary of ordering again. Brisket: Sliced very thin and very dry with little smokey flavor or bark. Needed a lot of sauce. There's a reason the place isn't called "Brisket Shak". Ribs: Best of the meat bunch. Texture was perfect, very meaty and had good flavor (although not a lot of actual smoke). I'd definitely go back, but I'd lean heavily towards ribs and boudin and be wary of some of the other. This visit was right at lunchtime, so I would have hoped for less dry meat. Despite it's non-Texas-BBQ slant, I would have bumped it to four stars had there been more smoke in the meats. When I think BBQ, I think smoke, and I'll admit, it's hard to find sometimes.
(3)
Christopher B.
A group of us went for lunch today. This claims to be a barbecue place? I think the only smoke on the meat might have come from the cigarette of the person doing the cooking. The brisket was dry - the iced tea was awful. The beans were as others have mentioned, pretty damned good. Excellent boudin too. But the rest of it? I couldn't finish it. And that's rare.
(2)
Andrew J.
I was a little dissapointed by this place, because of all the great reviews - I guess I might be getting a bit "picky" about my BBQ in my old age, lol. I ordered a half slab of ribs, a small side of beans and an iced tea that totaled $ 15.78 for lunch. In my opinion this is almost to the "pricey" range, but just under it. The ribs were decent enough, they did have a nice smoked flavor but could have used a little more time on the grill for tenderness. The meat did not part easily from the bone, but had an interesting combination of spices rubbed into it. I asked if they served baked beans or pinto beans and was told "We serve ranch style beans with meat in them". What they actually serve could more accurately be described as a bowl of very spicy chili that happens to have beans in it ! I would not go out of my way to go to this place again, but if you work nearby or are travelling thru the area in need of a BBQ "fix" I guess you could do worse. The other diners in the place seemed to enjoy themselves, wolfing down their food with abandon.
(2)
Prince H.
The only 5 star BBQ joint in DFW. If BBS is not at the top of you DFW BBQ list, at least for ribs, you either haven't eaten here or don't know great 'cue. Outstanding meaty ribs with layers of smoke and pepper flavor that are juicy and tender, served with white bread, onions and plenty of jalapenos. Yowsah! Very good brisket but a notch below the ribs. Although many dont seem to care for the setting and service I do -
(5)
Tommy H.
I think the Shak is one of the best BBQ places in Dallas and I want everyone to try it. The food is spicy without being capsicum hot with some Cajun influences. It is off the beaten path, but very convenient to the DART light rail, about a 6 block walk east and south from the Cedars Station. I've been often enough to have tried almost all the meats and sides, but I keep going back to the ribs, boudain and green beans with the occasional smoked turkey to mix it up. The ribs are well-seasoned with a dry rub and are very flavorful and meaty. I like their tangy sauce, but don't usually need it for the ribs. If you've never had boudain, I can only describe it as sausage made with a rice-heavy meat mixture and packed into natural casings. The casings do tend to fall apart easily, so be prepared. The green beans are full of chunks of smoked turkey and perhaps a tad overseasoned, but still very tasty. The turkey is dense and perhaps the most "Cajun" flavored of the meats. All the plate meals are served with slices of white bread, onion and jalapeno and a couple of 2 ounce tubs of sauce. If you plan to dine in, be aware there are two dining rooms in case the one by the door is full. The second dining room is through the door at the end of the counter.
(5)
R. Mark M.
Shak is a good description! It is a small hole in the wall in South Dallas. This is not the best BBQ, but it is pretty high up there. Where it lets you down is the sides. I like to get a plate with good side that compliment the BBQ. There sides taste horrible....I don't know how you ruin green beans? I do like that they serve Boudain. The BBQ is good. I enjoy supporting small local owners.
(4)
Ebony E.
LUV THE Environment food great portions no complaints above all u can order boudain as a side! u can smell the goodness in the air before entering another plus!
(5)
Jen L.
The food is friggin good. Well, I'm not so sure about the sausage, but other than that everything seems good! The restaurant is quite old and hot as hell inside. They have only fans, but it doesn't help much. I would just get the food togo and eat somewhere else. Employees are not very friendly or mean, just gets the job done. Yes, I would come back and recommend others to try.
(4)
Dennis G.
Got some ribs and sausage and they were great. The ribs had a nice dry rub that had a little spice. They add some additional flavor with some jalapenos. The sausage links are cut lengthwise and come with onions and a terrific dipping BBQ sauce. Both meats met my expectations and I'll return on my next visit. They close rather early in the evening, so check their schedule.
(5)
Nikki B.
Wow, their ribs sure do kick ass. And for a mere $11 for a two-meat plate with two sides, bread and sauce to boot, this place is a winner winner chicken dinner. Literally. I had the chicken too. While the meat is supposed to steal the show (and it totally did), I wasn't very impressed with the sides I chose. The "buttered corn" was canned corn dumped on my plate, and the coleslaw tasted very mustard-y like potato salad should. I found the taste to be surprising and a little off-putting. Next time I'm going in for the bbq beans and green beans. But back to the ribs. They were meaty and had a nice pink smoke ring, indicating a perfect cook. The chicken was juicy with a strong smoke flavor. I tried my hardest to finish my plate, but gave up with 2 ribs and half of my chicken left. Service wasn't friendly, but instead to the point. You can tell it's a hard process back there and it works well. I'm thankful we got there at 11, because the line was out the door by 11:30am.
(4)
Ac A.
Haven't had a bad meal here yet! The shak beans are a must try!! All of the meats are prepared with care, the potatoes are very good and the salads are excellent!!
(5)
Guy I.
I have been here a couple of times and I really like it even though it is a bit out of the way. I usually get the Shak's Platter ($13.99) to go which is a huge amount of food that could tip over Fred Flinstone's car. I eat some and then nibble on it for the rest of the day. You get 5 meats and 2 Veggies [Boudain counts as a Veggie] with the Shak's Platter plus plain old white bread. I usually stick with: Meats: Ribs Brisked [sliced beef] Sliced Pork Sausage Chicken I would skip the Turkey, Ham, and Fried Bologna Sides: Boudain [Hollowed out White Sausage with Rice inside] - this counts as a side! Green Beans I also liked the Chocolate Cake. I have only been there 3 times so I think there is stuff I haven't tried out yet.
(4)
Nick P.
Had a 3 meat platter for lunch which was approximately 500 pounds of food. The sauce was quite good, but the meats were uneven: Brisket- 5* Chicken- 4* Pork- 3* The buttered corn side was delicious. I don't know what they put in the green beans, but whatever the spices they put on, they were really heavy handed to the point I couldn't eat them. But, all in all, a good spot to stop.
(4)
Michele M.
This place was right on time!! The food was great and they gave huge portions for the price! The neighborhood is a little shady but its worth it for the food!!!
(5)
Paula R.
Y'know what one of my least favorite things is about going out to eat? I almost inevitably have food envy. My dining buddy pretty much ALWAYS gets something that i want more than what's on my own plate, but at the Baby Back Shack, it was fo'reals. My lunch buddy got the ribs and the brisket, and I got the pork and the chicken. While the chicken was alright, the pork was terribly terribly dry. My lunch buddy howevs, holy baby jeebus. The brisket and ribs that were on her plate were so delicious, I wasn't sure whether to rub them on my body, or stuff them in my face! Prices were reasonable and service was quick. It was my very first experience with sweat tea, and it was pretty bonus too! Super num yummies :)
(4)
Rachel T.
Being the only female exec on a team of four means the guys give me the tour of out of the way, slightly shady looking lunch places. And they certainly gave me fair warning before heading to this place. If there's a pig smoking a joint painted on the side of the shop, being "classy" probably isn't at the top of the list. That said, they serve up some good BBQ and do it with excellent service and simple style. You don't even get a plate unless you order one of their platters. Everything is served take-out style. I kept it basic and went with a chopped beef sandwich and baked potato. Both were good--the sandwich was HUGE and the potato appropriately portioned. They do not serve soda but do have tea, lemonade, water, and punch as beverage options. I'm glad to now be able to say, I've tried this South Dallas eatery. However, even with my GPS I don't know if I would have found this place. And I certainly wouldn't head out there by myself. But if you make your way there (and I would suggest you do), they do have an adequate size parking lot so no need to amble through the neighborhood. Quick in and easy out.
(3)
Neal P.
Sometimes you go to places for the atmosphere, for the service, and/or for its notoriety. Not here. The menu is...simple. You have your meats, your sides and some kind of combination of these 5 meats between bread, on lettuce, or with some stuff on the side. That's it. All of their meats are fantastic, their sauce is great, and their kool-aid punch is amazing. Be careful though, their portions are large and very fairly priced. I'm a big guy with big eating habits and I was only able to make it halfway through my Shak's platter (5 Meats + 2 sides). I've been around the bbq block in Dallas and I've got to say that the food here was amazing. When you step through the doors don't expect to have anything beyond efficient customer service because really, this place is all about the food.
(5)
Tj F.
As a Foodie, This is the closest you will get to Memphis style/St Louis BBQ. Fortunately for me since i live Downtown its a stonethrow away from me. Its in a run down part of the community but nonetheless pretty safe. They have the best pork ribs in the area compared to the Typical Texas style bbq served in the Metroplex. They even have Boudain though they might have spelt it wrong. The salad is probably the most fattening and most meaty salad i have ever had and please dilute the sweat tea or lemonade otherwise you will have a sugar rush for ages. they normally have some dessert cake up but i normally dont do sweets and just stick to the ribs, Chicken and Hot links. I try not to finish my meal cos its plain sinful and the Loaded Baked Potatos are the Bomb as in tons of toppings. I try to go once a month otherwise i will probably die or coronary heart disease b4 i turn 40.
(5)
Melissa M.
Yummy to my tummy pretty much wraps up this review. I ordered the stuffed baked potato with brisket and sausage links and it was mmm, mmm good. My husband and I split it and still did not eat the entire montrosity. We ordered the slice brisket sandwich and green beans for our little girl. Note that the chopped brisket is better then the sliced brisket. The sliced brisket was a little tough but the chopped brisket in the baked potato was nice and tender. I'm not much of a green bean fan but OMG these were THE BEST green beans I have ever had. No exaggerating. They have a mixture of seasonings, grilled chicken and brisket in them. I have got to figure out that recipe!! The only downfall of this place is that it is super small inside which isn't bad in itself but it was super HOT. They need to kick on some A/C in this 100+ weather.
(5)
Erich S.
I was a little hesitant to recommend this place on Yelp...mainly cause I don't want to encourage too many more folks to crowd out the lunch rush...but then I again, I also want to share the greatness that is BBS. I guess this is Memphis style bbq...but it's the best I've had in Dallas. The ribs deserve a monument. The savory boudain is a side! Unique and delicious. I think this might be BBQ heaven in Dallas. I skip the limited selection of beverages (strictly water for me) and also the sauce. This meat don't need it! Get the 3-meat plate and you can pig out and have enough to take home and feed three people...I"m not joking.
(5)
Mark H.
So being from Dallas and living in Oak Cliff, I have been asked for advice on good Dallas area BBQ spots. I had a chance to take my boss and a group of coworkers to a BBQ spot around Downtown, so I took some advice and ventured over to Baby Back Shak- the pressure was on. First thing about BBS- the food is fantastic! everyone left full and ready to come back again. I had the ribs, sliced brisket, beans, and potato salad. The ribs are cooked with a special rub and are not wrapped for the "fall of the bone effect"- which can make the meat a little greasy. The quality of meat is what really stands out with every smoky delicious bite. The sliced brisket is tender and the rub/ smoke combination makes this one of my favorite spots for brisket. The beans were at the top of our group's list. They had such a great flavor, the beans alone will make you come back. Potato salad was good but nothing really special. I also had a bite of the cake- and it is definitely some home made goodness- yum! I highly recommend this little slice of hole in the wall heaven. Dont go for the safe neighborhood feel, high end service or kitschy decorations- you will definitely walk away disappointed. This is a hole in the wall joint, so who cares when you are eating the best BBQ in town. Also, head next door to Lee Harvy's and grab a beer or 3- great spot and great times!
(5)
Chris L.
Damn good BBQ. The parking sucks. This place could be a solid 4.5 if it weren't for the shitty tea. If you're going to have sweet tea, it should be REAL tea! I'm 99% certain that the stuff in that jug was just Lipton Ice Tea w/ Lemon powder since it tasted like foul lemonade. I had the rib plate ($9.50). The ribs were dry (as in no BBQ sauce, not that the meat was dry), had a good amount of meat on them, had a crust AND had a nice pink smoke ring. Not the best ribs I've ever had, but really good, nonetheless. There are two things that make the Baby Back Shack an excellent joint, in my humble opinion: 1) the beans; 2) the boudin sausage. Oh, and # 2.5) the fact that boudin can be ordered as one of your SIDES! How dope is that? The beans here transcend the realm of mere legumes. Sweet, but not cloying; meaty, but not overdone. Soft, but firm to the teeth. I taste these beans in my dreams. If you boil it, they will come. The boudin is outstanding as well. I grew up eating boudin on white bread for a good chunk (or chunky) of my teen years, so I know good boudin. B-B-Shack's boudin is the best I've had outside of the great state of LA. The skin has a nice pop to it, it's spicy as hell, and just makes you want to smile when it eat it. I went during lunch and the place was PACKED, but the line went quickly. I've been told it's dead at night, save for the lazy folks getting take out. If you eat in at night, it will most likely just be you and the Dallas PD.
(4)
Erik B.
I stop in here for Boudin frequently. Tastes great!
(5)
Dylan P.
Update - I had a rare chance to get a ton of Baby Back Shak for my family for Christmas Eve lunch. The sliced brisket was moist and lean. The ribs which I never had before were the best Dallas BBQ has to offer. I had two new firsts there with the BBQ beans and coleslaw both were excellent as well. BBS has no weaknesses and continues to be the best BBQ joint in N. Texas. Their staff while militant before was warm and courteous this time which made the experience that much better.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Divey Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
Michelle G.
This is the best place for BBQ lunch in Dallas. The staff is friendly and it's a great price for a whole lot of food.
(5)Diane D.
I have to agree with Jose S. on his review. This is a great place to come if you're hungry. This is a little hole in the wall located in south Dallas. We arrived early around 11:40 and the line was already long and starting to wrap around in the tiny little front part of the converted house. They have plenty of seating on the other side of the wall and the line moved fairly fast so no complaints on that front. My co-worker and I split the "Shak Platter" and it came with PLENTY O' FOOD for both of us! It had grilled chicken, boudin, sliced brisket, ribs, and two vegetables. I don't recall what kind of vegetables we ordered but they were just 'ight. If you're hungry, it's not bad, but for the price - it's a bargain! $15 bucks for a huge amount of food. The highlight of this trip was the old school 70's funk music they were playing (Parliament, Funkadelics, Jackson 5)! I was really diggin' the music more than I was the food. This was a one & done experience for me - not bad, but not worth going back.
(3)Jon W.
When reviewing Baby Back Shak, I need to be fair and break down exactly what I ate into separate small reviews because of how polarizing the ingredients are that I tasted. So, let's starts what I enjoyed: The ribs. They were great, plain and simple. I suppose I should have guessed that from a place called "Baby Back Shak," but either way, these puppies were tender and smokey. Paired with the vinegar-based BBQ sauce and you have yourself a great combination. Let's move onto the brisket. It was different. I'm not sure if it was "bad," but it certainly didn't have the great flavor of the ribs. However, dip into the sauce and you'll be good to go. Now, the sides. Well, the double-serving of corn that I got was not good. It clearly came straight from a can. I realize that people don't come here for the sides, but I still believe a side-dish should compliment the meal, and the corn didn't. On to the sausage...another disappointment. Again, not their speciality. It was extremely dry and simply couldn't be rescued by the sauce. In conclusion, I would recommend this place for the ribs. They were some of the best I've had. The service was quick and the overall atmosphere was everything I expected. It felt like any other small-time BBQ joint in St. Louis, Memphis or KC -- and that's not a bad thing.
(3)Mitchy M.
BBQ is probably the most subjective kind of food in Texas. With that being said, my experience was just okay. As a native Texan, I judge a good bbq spot on their ribs and their brisket. In my opinion, everything revolves around those 2 things on the menu. I arrived around 11:30am on a weekday. I think that was a good thing, because the line got increasingly long the closer it got to the noon hour. The drinks are self serve.. sodas, ice tea and lemonade. They were playing old school Michael Jackson, which i'm a huge fan off. The decor is typical smokehouse decor. Nothing fancy or anything to worry about ruining if you splatter some extra bbq sauce while you're grubbing down in the corner. I ordered the Shak Platter. Basically it's ribs, brisqket, boudin, sausage links, with 2 sides. I bet that plate weighs 3 pounds. It's well worth the $15 cost. As far as my bbq tastes go, the ribs and sausage links were average. I like my ribs wet & fall off the bone. These were more of a dry & a bit more firm. The boudin wasn't spicy.. it was mild (not sure if I had a option to order spicy). The chicken was a bit dry for my tastes. The jewel was the brisket. It has flavor and was tender, which means there's some TALENT on that BBQ grill in the back. I ordered beans and potato salad for my sides. I'm a fan of the potato salad, but i think i'll trade out the beans for cole slaw next time. I didn't order a desert, but I wish I had. I will go back for the brisket! The Shak Platter was enough food for 3 people.. so I had left overs for a couple days. I gave Baby Back Shak 3 stars.. mostly because i wasn't impressed by the ribs. The staff is great. They are polite, friendly and efficient. And with out ribs.. it's just a shak.
(3)AP R.
A friend introduced me to this little gem yesterday. I am fairly picky when it comes to the 'que so listen up! I had a half rack of ribs, cole slaw and Shak beans. The ribs were super meaty and were perfectly done. There was a very small smoke ring and the flavor was of meat--not smoke. I was not belching smoke all night (you know what I mean!!). The beans were ranch style tasting which would have offended me had they not had a generous amount of ground beef added to them. The cole slaw was the vinegar style with celery seeds visible but not overwhelming the taste. The side of sauce they out with my to go order was the perfect accompaniment to the meat. 2 pieces of loaf bread were included and I gleefully SOPPED UP all the goodness that was waiting for me in the bottom of my to go container! I will be back and I will try other meat! This place ROCKS the cedars! YUM !
(5)Bob G.
I dunno ... I have very mixed feelings about the Baby Back Shak. The ribs were superb, the brisket was quite good, and everything else was so-so meh. With the exception of a sausage-like thing called the Cajun Boudain which I thought was really nasty but what do I know as I have never had anything like that before and had never heard of it so I have no basis for comparison.
(3)Paige G.
So when I get asked where the best place to go for bbq is, this place is the only place I'd ever recommended. This hole in the wall is always busy. If you're a first timer and want to try a bit of everything, order the Shak's sampler. This offers smoked chicken, ribs, brisket, and a twice stuffed sausage that is damn good. This plate costs about $18 but will literally feed 3 if not 4 people. Yea, I know, that's an ambiguous thing to say. This also comes with all of the fixings. Damnit, I've made My own mouth water.
(5)Allyson D.
It was ok, but wasn't worth the $42 we spent. My husband order the grilled chicken and it wasn't smoked and the brisket was a little dry.
(3)Robin H.
Great old fashioned Barbecue. Had ribs and homemade sausage the sauce was little thin but once I put it on my meat had to careful not to bite my fingers it was so good. Potato salad was a little tart (but still really tasty )to me but the baked beans were finger lickin' good just like the Ribs and homemade sausage that they make there. Great barbecue spot.
(4)Jose S.
Hmm, pass. Unless you're super hungry, then come right in. Why? Because the shak platter is nothing short of a TON of food. Good lord is it a lot. I couldn't finish half of it and had to take the rest home. The platter came with chicken, brisket, ribs, and sausage. I got beans and boudain as the sides. Yep, you can order boudain as a side. Those boudain links are giant, and I got 2 in one side. Honestly, I think between the beans and the boudain, I enjoyed the sides more than any of the individual meats. I'm not really familiar with this style. Almost seems east Texan maybe. Doesn't resemble any Memphis Q I've had, but that was only one trip I've made to Memphis so I dunno. What I do know is that the brisket was undercooked and not tender. The chicken had a flavor I couldn't quite put my finger on. Wasn't terrible, but I wasn't licking my lips or fingers either. Kinda peppery/vinegary...I didn't care for it really. I guess pretty much all the meats were forgettable and just not something I'd recommend. Not bad by any means, but there are better options for good Q. The value though is pretty much unbeatable. For $15, you can feed 2 people no problem with that Shak Platter.
(3)Chris M.
I almost don't want to review this place because it is so good I may not be able to get back in the door once everyone tries this place. I say it is the best I have had in Texas. No one can beat the taste or the service!
(5)Cecilè C.
I decided while getting lost (sorry, dallas GPS goes PHUNK at times) to search for a local barbecue place. Glad I did. The energy was great, staff recommended without hesitation the brisket. The brisket was tasty, I definitely recommend along with the beans. The menu is pretty simple but the food was good. Recommend
(3)Jared K.
Apparently both the Shak's interior and exterior recently got a complete overhaul. It has a hoppin' jazzy atmosphere. The dining room is clean and open and slightly trendy, which is par for the course in Dallas, but not necessarily for barbecue joints in general. This all seems to fit with their stated slogan: "Taste the sound of Memphis BBQ." It's hard to resist their namesake Shak's Platter, which comes with sausage, ribs, brisket, chicken, and boudain. You also get two sides, for which I picked potato salad and Shak's beans. When I unboxed my order at home, I found a massive pile of meat, which was quite the bargain considering the $15.00 price tag. The potato salad had a nice creamy texture, coupled with a good crunch from the veggies. It was pleasantly sweet, and had a good mild mustardy taste. The beans were packed with flavor. They were sweet and spicy at the same time. I wasn't quite sure how to begin this meaty smorgasbord, so I picked the sausage links at random. They were nice and crisp. These links definitely had some kick to them, though not as much as traditional hot links. I found a good garlic flavor too. The chicken breast was decently tender and moist, which can be quite a challenge to accomplish on the pit. I liked the seasoning blend, but didn't find as much smoke as I'd hoped for. That being said, the overall flavor was very good. Next came the brisket, which had a beautiful black crust and a pronounced smoke ring. It was melt-in-your-mouth tender. There was also plenty of smoke to go around. I found it hard to stop eating the brisket once I got started. The boudain (or, more commonly, boudin) came in the form of a giant link. Its filling was perfectly creamy and rich with flavor, with a good amount of heat in each bite. The rice wasn't the least bit al dente. It also didn't have that sticky texture that far too often plagues boudin sausage. Last but not least, the ribs. Despite this joint's name, spare ribs are the only kind you'll find here. These had some good bark and a nice smoky red hue. They were cooked perfectly, with each bite coming away clean. No "falling-off-the-bone" nonsense. There was good smoke flavor in each bite. These weren't quite the Memphis-style ribs I was anticipating, more like a Memphis-Texas hybrid, with really delicious results. I'm glad I finally got the opportunity to try out Baby Back Shak. They may have been snubbed by Texas Monthly, but rest assured, they've got some damn fine barbecue.
(5)Jazyie 9.
Best BBQ in DFW!!!!!! I can never decide between the wing plate and tge chopped beef baked potato, so I usually get both!!!!!!! The sides are all perfect and the lemonade is perfectly sweetened and yummie!!!!! Whenever I go, I usually have to get extra orders for co-workers and friends to go. I have been eating here with my family for over 12 years and this place has been consistently serving delicious food over the years!!!!
(5)Re M.
So I went here for a late lunch. The lady at the counter was very friendly which was a plus as a Baby Back Shak virgin. Ordered food, got my syrofoam cup and fixed my drink right to the left of the counter and went to find a seat. I wanted water, but the container the water was sitting in didn't look too clean to me and the water appeared to have a slight tint. I opted for Gold Peak from the Gold Peak machine. My food came out within 5 - 7 minutes. I ordered half a cornish hen and green beans. The hen was seasoned with their "family secret" recipe rub and the green beans with chicken and a ton of pepper. I personally like flavor to my food and this wasn't seasoned to my liking. I'm from Louisiana, so I know what seasoning is and how to season food. By the way, the food came out in styrofoam containers as well. It is a hole in the wall and has a hole in the wall feel, but it looks clean. The nice guy that brought the food out also picked up my styrofoam containers when done. Maybe I have to order other things to see what the hype is all about, but honestly I can cook this myself. Oh and the potato salad is mustard style and they definitely add sugar to it which is not needed since sweet relish is also used. Will I go again, probably so, but only if I am in the area and want to go somewhere close.
(2)Arielle H.
I'm never disappointed with the food here. It's not a sit down place, more like a order your food to go. They always have ribs that are so tender and flavorful and fall right off the bone ( this is without BBQ sauce!!!) The menu is nothing fancy, just you standard BBQ, but every single thing is delicious! Worth every penny
(5)Mark C.
Nothing but the facts, ma'am. This place is great... as long as you know you are going for the food not the ambiance. Of course if you are looking for good ribs in the DFW area, you likely value the flavor of the food over the white table cloth experience anyway. Everything is served in to go containers, even if you eat in... so get ready. What else is there to say? You won't be disappointed.
(5)Gabriel D.
Great Food! Large portions! Amazing ribs! This place was packed and I can see why! We loved every bite.
(4)Travise L.
Ridiculous BBQ! Food for days! A must have while in Dallas. Do yourself a favor and check it out.
(5)Tim V.
I've read lots of good reviews--specifically about their ribs. Today, they were terrible. And the beef was worse. Both were poorly cooked and ended up tough, not tender. The ribs didn't want to come off the bone and the sliced beef was tough and flavorless...worse than Dickey's. Good sides though, and nice people. But, even if this was an off day, I'd rather not come back. I don't think any legitimate barbecue place should ever, even on their worst day, serve meat that bad.
(2)Joey R.
Place is nice and quick, sauce is thin and IMO doesn't taste good at all. I got the link sandwich, it wasn't good to me at all. Almost a licorice taste to it, a real strong fennel... It was reheated in a micro I'm almost sure. The potato salad was on point and good. Down the street is off the bone bbq I recommend that place.
(2)Teresa D.
I'm going against the grain here. If I took off a star for rude, rude, rude this would be no better than a 2 star review due to someone's atti2ude. I'd say it's average good BBQ but I was disappointed before I even saw all of these good reviews from other trusted Yelpees. The attitude was bad enough that you'd normally speak to a manager, but this isn't that kind of place. I asked one simple question before anyone else was in line. "Are the ribs a dry rub, or more of a wet rub mopped style"? I guess this question was just flat out unacceptable. My first impression (besides the rude factor) was not a problem being that it is indeed Shak-eqsue if you will ;). No problem. It's a BBQ joint with a cute name, and I'm here for the meat and don't need more than a roll of paper towels. So my friend and I stood at the menu board pondering what all we were gonna slop all over our faces. The ribs come with the sauce on the side by the way. While we debated everything that sounded great we let others go in front of us and didn't dare ask any more questions. Then as we're standing there minding our own business she literally said "Well why don't you all let me know when you make up your minds". The tone was incredible, and I'm pretty sure I heard the F-bomb under her breath. I would have left if I had known the food was going to be so average but we both wanted to try it so badly and didn't let her discourage our high hopes. So we didn't take it personally and ordered more than we knew we could finish. Food wise - we were personally not thrilled. I didn't think the ribs weren't anything special. They were way too fatty and I didn't get much good meat considering we split a whole slab. Most of it was wasted and ready for the dogs. Our sides were so-so with the best being the beans. You might love them since I'm not usually a bean fan and thought these were pretty good and different from your standard place. The chopped beef sandwich seemed like it had the leavin's of parts that I don't want. This always makes me skeptical of a chopped beef sandwich on a first BBQ visit, but he wanted it, so I tried it. The sauce was pretty good, but I still ended up eating very little of the dry, fatty meat. I ended up eating mostly bread with cole slaw, and onions with the beans. Not really my idea of BBQ, but I made my own sandwich and didn't leave hungry by any means. All in all it was BBQ that may be decent but nothing more in our minds and doesn't compare to so many places here or elsewhere. I'm much happier at Smokey Johns with the true cafeteria set up that works and they are nice beyond belief! It may have been an off day for the food and this woman, but I don't feel the need to go back and find out. I'll make a road trip to Rendezvous first. Oh well. The dogs were thrilled with their own little Thanksgiving. The website may help ya avoid the menu dilemma since there's quite a bit to choose from. babybackshak.com Too bad I didn't see this before we went. They are closed on Sundays and open M-Th 11-5:45 and Fri, Sat 11-6:45. Don't ask me! ;) Or that woman for that matter : D
(3)Kenneth M.
I have frequented Baby Back Shaq for years, since moving to South Side On Lamar. BBS food is consistently good, the cuts of meat are high quality, and I have never left unsatisfied with the size of their servings or the price. Because they allow you to have Boudain as a side, they will FOREVER be one of my favorites!!
(5)At D.
Texas is BBQ and football I ran across this place after viewing Hungry Investors this place was pitted against Billy Oak Acres BBQ which I tried also I will explain later who should have won. I ordered pretty much everything on the menu to see what's was really good instead of just focusing on their brisket which is what they are known for. Just like the show Hungry Investors pointed out their brisket was being over cook and didn't have a smoke ring well same with the brisket I ordered it was dry over cooked and without a smoke ring pretty much everything I ate was dry from the chicken to the links all the way to the ribs. I'm very disappointed in a place I had high hopes for. If I could choose between this place and Billy Oak Acres I'd choose neither they both lack and overall goodness and quality of taste even though Billy's Oak Acres had the better brisket in my own opinion. I know ppl will take my opinion and discount it but I have test tasted all over the US and I know good food this place isn't one. Name alone don't make your food any better and I guessing had the show Hungry Investors not showed up this place would still be struggling. They only get two stars cuz the staff was friendly you take that out and they would have no stars. Try Avery's BBQ in Arlington,tx if u need some good BBQ to compare it to.
(2)Brandi N.
I haven't eaten ribs anywhere else in TX and liked it. I liked these. I finished these. I stuffed myself with these. I licked my fingers and sucked the bones and ... well, they were good. There was a LOT of flavor in these. They were a little spicy from the black pepper as well as the jalapenos included in the bowl. There were also onions at the bottom of that heap. I actually had NO desire to add sauce and I am a person who really, really, really loves sauce on everything. I was so determined to eat the sauce that I ended up dipping my bread in the sauce and, when the bread ran out, I ate the sauce with a spoon. Still, I didn't even notice they had given me sauce until the last rib. The beans were good too though I like my beans sweeter. These beans tasted more like chilli which I'm guessing is fantastic for people who love chilli. I do like that there was ground meat in the beans like somebody's grandma made them. Overall, I could definitely see myself leaving my house to get this BBQ again.
(4)Dick C.
Not much effort put into sides, forgettable bbq sauce, ribs should be avoided (clearly reheated and mostly fat), they were out of brisket, boudin was ok, chicken was quite good, hot links were nothing special. So I would recommend the chicken....
(2)Yolanda G.
This barbecue place is good for the money. Lunch was $7 plus tax for a rib sandwich and one side dish. Ribs were pretty good but the beans were amazingly delicious! They give you too much food but I'm not complaining cause again it was delicious.
(4)Amos W.
This is my Favorite Bar-B-Que spot in the DFW & IF you can handle it try My Favorite plate that is the Shak Platter but Please you must have a appetite because I'm a Big Man & when I get this platter I usually eat on it for about 2 days!!The Service is "Great" Keep up The Good work Mr.Clarence!!
(5)Jennifer M.
Walk up ordering, self serve drinks. Very friendly and helpful staff. Ribs were very tender, brisket had great smoke and bark, but was a bit tough. The sauce is sweet but original. Great place, but not so great location.
(4)Phil G.
I came here maybe two years ago with some co-workers, and my memory of that experience is good. The place was packed, the food was good, and the service was adequate. This time, I again went with co-workers, and we went early to beat the huge crowds. To my surprise, the place was practically empty. When we went to place our orders, the lady taking our orders was downright rude - not quite sure why. Then when I ordered a pork sandwich, she said she's out of pork. OUT OF PORK. At a BBQ place. At 11:15 in the morning. So... I ordered the "rib sandwich." What I got was bone-in ribs - how am I supposed to eat a "sandwich" with individual ribs with bones? So basically it was ribs with a side of bread. And the ribs weren't all that great, either. The flavor was a bit off, and they weren't very meaty. I don't know if they were just having an off day or what, but it was a very disappointing experience.
(2)dean d.
I wanted to sample everything so I ordered the Shak's Platter for lunch. This has it all: Ribs (delicious), sliced brisket (ok), chicken (perfect), Boudain (boring), hot links (average); I got the green beans (peppery good) and shak's beans (amazing). All for $13.99. I'm stuffed.
(3)Darren B.
Hands down, these are the best ribs I have ever eaten. No sauce needed. Perfect. I am glad I found this place, because I've tried ribs from everywhere (Hard 8, Bartley's, Feed Store, Outback :/ , Sonny Bryan's, Portillo's) and they can't compare. And if you want to try something new, try the Andouille sausage. It's fantastic, especially if you like French/Creole style pork dishes. I like it as much as the ribs. Two great foods in one place! Good service, simple, clean, good size portions, self serve fountain drinks and tea. And a great value! I tried the brisket, pulled pork, and smoked sausage and I am not a fan at all. All three seem like an afterthought to round out the menu. If you go, resist the temptation and stick with the ribs and Andouille sausage. That's where the money is.
(4)Solomon W.
OK, Baby Back Shak offered pretty close to what may be the worst BBQ experience I have ever had. It almost got 2 stars for actually producing smoked animal parts that somewhat resembled actual BBQ. To that note, minus one star for not allowing meat by the pound. Absolutely ridiculous. My brisket was honestly some of the driest brisket around. There were parts that had that weird "grey" tinge, and you could just tell it was far overcooked. The "smoke ring" dissipated into a gross, dark brown sort of exterior. I suppose the first mistake I made was ordering cattle at a joint called Baby Back Shak. Could it be that this highly acclaimed BBQ establishment is just a fluke? I sure think so... you would do best to swing around the corner (literally down the street) to Off The Bone. Again, not spectacular, but certainly better. Goodness gracious. Additionally, half pounds here are not super affordable, running you roughly $7. Plus, you don't even get to see them smoking or cutting to order. They have a kitchen in the back, and that is just heresy. Just to show you the "evidence", I have posted a picture of the "inedible" portion of my 1/2 lb. order. I would say over 1/2 of my 1/2 lb. order was NAC. Not available for consumption. Yikes. Please see the picture! Gross BBQ. Not superb atmosphere. And just.... not good.
(1)Jen T.
We were waiting in a long line for Pecan Lodge at Farmer's Market because we were told it has the best barbecue ever and noticed that a slim pickings sign was on the guy that was twenty people ahead of us so we started chatting with other line goers and found out about Baby Back shak. I'm glad we went because it was pretty good, I love their barbecue sauce, it wasn't too sweet, or thick, it was just right. I got a loaded baked potato that was pretty awesome, but after eating half of my sliced beef sandwich I could barely scarf it down. I liked the food, and I like that it's not a crowded place and that you don't have to wait in a hour and a half line and get slim pickings if you don't get there early. I'll definitely be going back when I'm on that side of town.
(4)Secily H.
Love it! The green beans are rockin and the BBQ is the best!! I will drive across town to go here over any other BBQ joint! Also the koolaid is sugary goodness
(5)Shar A.
Was eager to try since the TV show. I didn't like the ribs or the sauce, but the potato salad and beans were good.
(3)Randy N.
We ate at the Baby Back Shak today and it was great. I had the "Shak's Platter" which included chicken, hot link, brisket, spare ribs, baby back ribs, and EVEN boudain were on my plate. My sides were potato salad and the Shak's Beans (told the beans where the cashier's favorite). The boudain was great. I'm pretty sure it was from the boudain company out of Houston, the hot links were good, the ribs were incredible and they had a lot of course pepper on them (the clear highlight of the meal and better than Pecan Lodge's ribs), the chicken was average, the brisket was a bit on the dry side and average (not even in the same ballpark as Pecan Lodge's brisket), the potato salad was plain and average and the Shak's beans were awesome! The atmosphere was perfect with jazz playing and jazz art on the walls and the service was very friendly and they get the food out really quick. When you walk in it's exactly what you want to see in a great BBQ joint. Overall... the experience was very good and we had a great time there. However, I'm not sure why they give you so much bread. We had close to a loaf of bread given to us between the 3 of us. On a 1 to 10 scale I give it a 7 1/2.
(4)Megan M.
I've had Baby Back Shak on my radar forever and based on my trusted Yelper's reviews, I was sure that Baby Back Shak would be an instant winner. Very rarely does Yelp ever let me down. This is such an occasion. I guess my expectations were too high. Maybe I hit them on an off day. Or something. It started so well. The hole-in-the-wall building in a seedy part of town, the aroma wall that met us when we walked through the front door, all signs pointed to outstanding BBQ. No fried okra? Mkay. No peach cobbler? A'ight. We got a rack and a half of ribs ($16.79), a small potato salad ($3.49), a large beans ($4.49) and a large buttered corn ($4.49). For $31.67, we thought we had a bad ass meal to take home. Not so much. The ribs were...just a'ight. They had some decent flavor on their own but when paired with the weak BBQ sauce, they faded into mediocre territory. I know BBQ enthusiasts say that ribs should be eaten dry, but I'm a sauce kinda girl. A good BBQ sauce will step up weak ribs. Just like a weak sauce will downgrade average ribs. The potato salad was a huge disappointment as well. The only saving grace for this meal - and the only reason this review got bumped to 3 stars from 2.5 - were the beans and corn. Holy crap, those beans are something else. They're almost like chili, but not quite. Outstanding flavor, great texture. The buttered corn was what every soul food restaurant aspires to serve. Baby Back Shak isn't bad BBQ, but it isn't something I'd seek out again. The hunt for worthy BBQ continues...
(3)Joseph F.
Good ribs, I had the rib sandwich which is basically just four ribs with two slices of bread. I got coleslaw as my side dish and found it to be heavy on the vinegar. It tasted like the tea and lemonade were both made from powder, that was the main down part for me. The other people I went with got the chopped brisket, sliced brisket, and the sausage. They all liked what they had and said the brisket wasn't dried out, they also had the beans as their side and had good things to say about them as well. The lunch menu gives you plenty of food and by no means leaves you still hungry. It's a pretty good value if you order off the menu, otherwise it's like any other BBQ joint with most plates averaging $10+. I'll definitely be going back. FYI they have a small parking lot so it fills up quickly, small front dining room but more seating is available behind a small wall. They get very popular during lunch so it's a smart idea to call your order in ahead of time.
(3)Marcus S.
All the time I've been coming to this place and I never knew Lee Harvey's was directly to the back of it until today. Learn something new all the time. I've come here plenty of times for lunch and I figure it's about time for a review, so here it goes. This is some pretty decent BBQ here folks. Not the best, but far from the worst. I've tried everything from ribs to cornish hen here and all of the meat has that good smoky flavor and the spices and dry rubs add some nice complimentary flavoring. The pork and beef are not the most tender, but I've had more tender meats from nearby spots (Off the Bone), that do not quite measure up to the overall taste of Baby Back Shak's. The BBQ sauce they provide is a tangy and sweet blend. Decent enough. The sides have ranged from good to okay. The sweet corn is very good and I make it a point to get it every time I go. The shak beans are not your typical BBQ beans but if you know what to expect they are actually pretty good. They are ranch style beans with a tangy sauce and some small chunks of ground beef. Green beans here are pretty good. I'm not a fan of the potato salad. Bottom line, I have yet to find great BBQ in Dallas proper, but I'm usually pretty satisfied with my lunch here and for now, it is my go to spot for some Q.
(3)Mari M.
I'm from Memphis so I know good BBQ. I've eaten here several times and the food is really good, very flavorful. The sliced beef and chicken can be a lil dry at times. We always get the beans, there very good. Definitely worth a try.
(4)Nadeem A.
I complained to some Yelpers that I didn't like BBQ. They countered by saying that I just haven't had good BBQ. And being the good Yelpers they are, a BBQ UYE was organized. And there was much rejoicing. (Yay!). So, I went in with an open mind and empty stomach and decided to order a wide variety of meats. I got a 3-meat plate (beef, chicken, turkey), with corn, potato salad, and a lemonade. The beef was dry. The turkey was salty. The corn was canned. The potato salad had a strong dill taste. If it not for the excellent chicken, I'd have been forced to eat Sir Robin's minstrels. I'll hold off on the The Hater's patented 1 or 2 star review, since TacoPop says the beef isn't normally that bad and a few of the other sides looked delicious (baked potato, beans). But the next time better impress. Anyway, it turns out that I do like BBQ, because I had awesome brisket in Memphis just the week before. It's a good thing I found that out before trying Baby Back Shak, or I might have had to swear off BBQ for life.
(3)Lee C.
So apparently BBS will be increasing their prices this week. To be honest I've been expecting this for sometime. Their 3 meat combo is basically two meals for $12.00. I'm a big time eater, and Ive never finished all of my food. I couldn't imagine the price increase being that dramatic so I will be back !!!
(5)Steve N.
I think this is the best BBQ I have had in DFW. The ribs are seasoned well with a dry rub. Sauce is served on the side but they don't need any. The boudain, beans, and green beans sides are excellent, all with a bit of heat. Don't miss the homemade cakes either. Take one to go if you don't have any room after devouring those delicious ribs.
(5)Eddie H.
Wow...this place is a true hole in the wall! Took some clients to lunch and they suggested this place which I had never heard of. Got the brisket, ribs and sausage plate with Shak beans and 1/2 a baked potato. Mistakes were made lets just say that....this was more than enough food for two and it was just me going at it. The ribs fell off the bone and had a great peppery smokey flavor to them. The brisket was tender and moist and went well with the BBQ sauce. The only thing I wasnt a huge fan of was the sausage...they were more like hot links, and while not bad, did not compare to the brisket and ribs. The beans were also money chocked full of beef. I will definitely be back!
(4)John H.
Awesome ribs this place is great and has very hefty portions the shack beans are a great side they are like baked beans but with meat amazing also the green beans are another hit with smoked chicken pieces in them yummmmmm. The place is dry rub ribs so the sauce is on the side I have been to all the other over hyped places like Salt Lick near Austin and they do not have anything on these Ribs. Best Ribs these lips have touched!!
(5)Robbie G.
very good bbq. the ribs were the best I've had in Dallas proper. The two meat plate is a steal, especially if you order some boudin, as others recommended...and some of the shak beans. The shak beans are basically brisket chili... zaaang.
(4)J M.
What a great place, it is in the up and coming Cedar's area and is the best of the old neighborhood. Do not expect china plates. This is a real good food place but no attempt on presentation. I moved it from 4 stars to 5 when I do dot consider atmosphere. Enjoy it.
(5)Zac L.
Soulful Memphis Style BBQ joint. Good lunch place. I had the Sliced Beef sandwich. The beef was not as tender as I would like. Flavor of meet and sauce were both good. I will definitely be back to try their other offerings. The Bodain Sausage Rocks with flavor!
(4)anthony g.
So much good here. Boudain. Ribs. Brisket. Spicy and delicious. My play is always the same: get the Shak's platter (think the five-meat plate), and split it between you and a friend. You'll get so much meat, so much deliciousness. Go with the shak's beans on the side. Deliriously wonderful.
(5)Tonya C.
I had stopped eating beef and pork months before I was brought to Baby Back Shaq for lunch. With that said, when I walked in I was not at all impressed. I'm glad I didn't just sit down and whine about it because I would have missed out on trying their enormously huge potatoes. Looking at the menu and seeing a $5 potato, I had high expectations because at a fast food place that's an entire meal! When I got it, I was not disappointed. I was given this dinner plate size potato loaded with chicken, butter, cheese and barbecue sauce. It was so good, I got the point where I was taking breaks between eating just because I didn't want to throw any or it away. I will go so far to say delicious doesn't quite serve it justice and have to say it was delectable. In the mood for mouth-watering barbecue or just a head-size potato that can last you 2 or 3 meals- go to Baby Back Shaq. It is soooooo well worth it.
(4)Audrey H.
This place seems to attract alot of locals which is great for them. But as a first-time visitor, I was really disappointed. I came in and the place had some customers sitting and eating but no line. I was greeted by a not-too-smiling girl who seemed like she just wanted to take our order just so she could go back to looking at her phone. My husband and I ordered two Shak's Platters because we wanted to try the mix of bbq that this place offered. Ohhh man, we should've ordered one. So much meat!!! The guy who brought us our food was very courteous which I appreciated. When I opened up my box, I saw 5 ribs, 3 or 4 brisket slices, 1 chicken breast, 1 huge rice-filled sausage, 2 meat sausages, and 2 sides. I was blown away from the huge portion of meat that I got. I came in very hungry thinking I could devour anything, but I was mistaken. The ribs looked like it had so much flavor because of all that rub that was covering it, but when I bit into it, it tasted surprisingly under-seasoned. I had to coat each bite with the bbq sauce (which at the end of the meal, I got sick of all that sour vinegar flavor). The ribs were also NOT fall-off-the-bone. They were more like stick-to-the-bone. The meat sausages were pretty salty and the brisket and chicken were pretty dry. For sides, we got potato salad, corn, and green beans. My husband said he loved his green beans. I tasted it and it had a nice rosemary flavor in it. The potato salad was ok but my corn was really sweet. There was so so much food that we had to take home about half of what we ordered. I have to say, the ribs tasted a little better after I reheated it in the oven, but the brisket and chicken became even more dry. And here's the weird part. Both times after I ate this food, I became extremely tired. That was some food coma. Both times! Something in that food made me exhausted and I even had a hard time driving home after the meal. Because of all the positive Yelp reviews, I wanted to like this place. But now that I've had it, I'm pretty sure I won't come back.
(2)Shawn W.
Didnt taste smoked. Meh. That is all
(2)Derrick T.
Mr. Shak was onsite to take our order and introduce to us the best foods he felt we should try for the day. I settled in on the three meat combo with a few sides, and found myself dealing with the itis the rest of the afternoon through my meetings. Ribs - Perhaps the star of the meal, excellent crust and tender meat with just enough toothsome chew to it. Flavor was excellent! Chicken - Slightly dry, but a little bit of their sauce helped bring out the star qualities of the bird. Link Sausage - Nice cuts, and excellent flavor. Boudain - Having never had boudain before, my first experience was really quite good. Decent snap to the wrapping, and the mixture of rice and meat was flavorful! Shak's beans - Unfortunately, I ate this so fast... I can hardly remember or describe these... I just know that I enjoyed the beans and was spooning it down. Verdict: Excellent BBQ and would definitely look to come back if in the Dallas area. I have some comparisons to do, but this was definitely a delicious meal for under $15 with a drink.
(4)Molly T.
This little dive is south of I-30 near downtown Dallas. I discovered it last year, through an office potluck. I don't go there for the service, or lack of. I go there, and take my office friends there, for a taste of the dry rub style that is so Memphis! It's not health food but just good Q. The rib sandwich comes with about 6 ribs and a side, which I highly recommend the green beans. Even the Cornish Hen sandwich is tasty, and don't miss out on the cakes- delicious!
(3)Nikki L.
We may be from New York, but we know good BBQ, and this definitely wasn't it. Despite being hungry, we ate about 2 bites of our sliced pork and beef before giving them up as inedible. The green beans and ranch beans were pretty ok. The store-bought bread was the best thing on the plate. Avoid.
(1)Trevor L.
So I heard this is the closest thing to Off the Bone so I came here during my first visit to Texas. It was only 5 minutes from my hotel vs 35 minutes. All I have to say is, it's good enough for me to not be curious to venture off on a half mile drive for another bbq place. Coming from California, I never knew what "falls off the bone" good ribs were because most ribs that fell off the bone here, meant they were just boiled so long it was so dry, it boiled off the bone. Not the case here. My mouth is watering just thinking about those links, the rib meat.. sandwiched in the white break they give you, and slathered in their BBQ sauce. OMG it's so good. It's a hole in a wall sorta, but they actually take credit card, even AMEX. love love love this place. The girl helping me behind the counter was nice too, rather than trying to up-sell me on the large lemonade, she just suggested me to get the small and then get free refills. Haha. Good service, Good food, what more can you ask for.
(5)Brad N.
I made my first visit to Baby Back Shak today with a fellow Yelp reviewer. Easy to find, even for an "Oklahoman" like myself. I selected a three meat platter with sausage, ribs and brisket; rounding out my platter was boudin sausage and "Shak's beans". I also sampled the turkey and pork as well as the green beans from my friend's plate. Here's a blow-by-blow, starting with the backup singers: Sauce: A moderately vinegar-y, not too sweet tomato based sauce with a definite but not overwhelming hot "kick". Definitely enjoyable. Shak's beans: Based on Ranch Style Beans, but with bits of meat and some of the sauce mixed in. Very, very enjoyable Green beans: The beans themselves were likely from a can, but had nice spices and bits of pork throughout. Not as good as the Shak's beans, but quite good nonetheless. Boudin sausage: Definite awesomeness. Very good flavor and texture; sure, it's an unusual find at a BBQ joint, but it's great stuff. Good balance of rice, meat and spices. Unfortunately the main event didn't fare quite as well, but there were some high points: Pork: A little dry, but tasted good. Could have used more salt. Turkey: Seasoned nicely with a little bit of smoke, fairly tasty. Sausage: More of a hot link, tasty enough, but very dry. Perhaps too much time in a dry warming area. Would be wary of ordering again. Brisket: Sliced very thin and very dry with little smokey flavor or bark. Needed a lot of sauce. There's a reason the place isn't called "Brisket Shak". Ribs: Best of the meat bunch. Texture was perfect, very meaty and had good flavor (although not a lot of actual smoke). I'd definitely go back, but I'd lean heavily towards ribs and boudin and be wary of some of the other. This visit was right at lunchtime, so I would have hoped for less dry meat. Despite it's non-Texas-BBQ slant, I would have bumped it to four stars had there been more smoke in the meats. When I think BBQ, I think smoke, and I'll admit, it's hard to find sometimes.
(3)Christopher B.
A group of us went for lunch today. This claims to be a barbecue place? I think the only smoke on the meat might have come from the cigarette of the person doing the cooking. The brisket was dry - the iced tea was awful. The beans were as others have mentioned, pretty damned good. Excellent boudin too. But the rest of it? I couldn't finish it. And that's rare.
(2)Andrew J.
I was a little dissapointed by this place, because of all the great reviews - I guess I might be getting a bit "picky" about my BBQ in my old age, lol. I ordered a half slab of ribs, a small side of beans and an iced tea that totaled $ 15.78 for lunch. In my opinion this is almost to the "pricey" range, but just under it. The ribs were decent enough, they did have a nice smoked flavor but could have used a little more time on the grill for tenderness. The meat did not part easily from the bone, but had an interesting combination of spices rubbed into it. I asked if they served baked beans or pinto beans and was told "We serve ranch style beans with meat in them". What they actually serve could more accurately be described as a bowl of very spicy chili that happens to have beans in it ! I would not go out of my way to go to this place again, but if you work nearby or are travelling thru the area in need of a BBQ "fix" I guess you could do worse. The other diners in the place seemed to enjoy themselves, wolfing down their food with abandon.
(2)Prince H.
The only 5 star BBQ joint in DFW. If BBS is not at the top of you DFW BBQ list, at least for ribs, you either haven't eaten here or don't know great 'cue. Outstanding meaty ribs with layers of smoke and pepper flavor that are juicy and tender, served with white bread, onions and plenty of jalapenos. Yowsah! Very good brisket but a notch below the ribs. Although many dont seem to care for the setting and service I do -
(5)Tommy H.
I think the Shak is one of the best BBQ places in Dallas and I want everyone to try it. The food is spicy without being capsicum hot with some Cajun influences. It is off the beaten path, but very convenient to the DART light rail, about a 6 block walk east and south from the Cedars Station. I've been often enough to have tried almost all the meats and sides, but I keep going back to the ribs, boudain and green beans with the occasional smoked turkey to mix it up. The ribs are well-seasoned with a dry rub and are very flavorful and meaty. I like their tangy sauce, but don't usually need it for the ribs. If you've never had boudain, I can only describe it as sausage made with a rice-heavy meat mixture and packed into natural casings. The casings do tend to fall apart easily, so be prepared. The green beans are full of chunks of smoked turkey and perhaps a tad overseasoned, but still very tasty. The turkey is dense and perhaps the most "Cajun" flavored of the meats. All the plate meals are served with slices of white bread, onion and jalapeno and a couple of 2 ounce tubs of sauce. If you plan to dine in, be aware there are two dining rooms in case the one by the door is full. The second dining room is through the door at the end of the counter.
(5)R. Mark M.
Shak is a good description! It is a small hole in the wall in South Dallas. This is not the best BBQ, but it is pretty high up there. Where it lets you down is the sides. I like to get a plate with good side that compliment the BBQ. There sides taste horrible....I don't know how you ruin green beans? I do like that they serve Boudain. The BBQ is good. I enjoy supporting small local owners.
(4)Ebony E.
LUV THE Environment food great portions no complaints above all u can order boudain as a side! u can smell the goodness in the air before entering another plus!
(5)Jen L.
The food is friggin good. Well, I'm not so sure about the sausage, but other than that everything seems good! The restaurant is quite old and hot as hell inside. They have only fans, but it doesn't help much. I would just get the food togo and eat somewhere else. Employees are not very friendly or mean, just gets the job done. Yes, I would come back and recommend others to try.
(4)Dennis G.
Got some ribs and sausage and they were great. The ribs had a nice dry rub that had a little spice. They add some additional flavor with some jalapenos. The sausage links are cut lengthwise and come with onions and a terrific dipping BBQ sauce. Both meats met my expectations and I'll return on my next visit. They close rather early in the evening, so check their schedule.
(5)Nikki B.
Wow, their ribs sure do kick ass. And for a mere $11 for a two-meat plate with two sides, bread and sauce to boot, this place is a winner winner chicken dinner. Literally. I had the chicken too. While the meat is supposed to steal the show (and it totally did), I wasn't very impressed with the sides I chose. The "buttered corn" was canned corn dumped on my plate, and the coleslaw tasted very mustard-y like potato salad should. I found the taste to be surprising and a little off-putting. Next time I'm going in for the bbq beans and green beans. But back to the ribs. They were meaty and had a nice pink smoke ring, indicating a perfect cook. The chicken was juicy with a strong smoke flavor. I tried my hardest to finish my plate, but gave up with 2 ribs and half of my chicken left. Service wasn't friendly, but instead to the point. You can tell it's a hard process back there and it works well. I'm thankful we got there at 11, because the line was out the door by 11:30am.
(4)Ac A.
Haven't had a bad meal here yet! The shak beans are a must try!! All of the meats are prepared with care, the potatoes are very good and the salads are excellent!!
(5)Guy I.
I have been here a couple of times and I really like it even though it is a bit out of the way. I usually get the Shak's Platter ($13.99) to go which is a huge amount of food that could tip over Fred Flinstone's car. I eat some and then nibble on it for the rest of the day. You get 5 meats and 2 Veggies [Boudain counts as a Veggie] with the Shak's Platter plus plain old white bread. I usually stick with: Meats: Ribs Brisked [sliced beef] Sliced Pork Sausage Chicken I would skip the Turkey, Ham, and Fried Bologna Sides: Boudain [Hollowed out White Sausage with Rice inside] - this counts as a side! Green Beans I also liked the Chocolate Cake. I have only been there 3 times so I think there is stuff I haven't tried out yet.
(4)Nick P.
Had a 3 meat platter for lunch which was approximately 500 pounds of food. The sauce was quite good, but the meats were uneven: Brisket- 5* Chicken- 4* Pork- 3* The buttered corn side was delicious. I don't know what they put in the green beans, but whatever the spices they put on, they were really heavy handed to the point I couldn't eat them. But, all in all, a good spot to stop.
(4)Michele M.
This place was right on time!! The food was great and they gave huge portions for the price! The neighborhood is a little shady but its worth it for the food!!!
(5)Paula R.
Y'know what one of my least favorite things is about going out to eat? I almost inevitably have food envy. My dining buddy pretty much ALWAYS gets something that i want more than what's on my own plate, but at the Baby Back Shack, it was fo'reals. My lunch buddy got the ribs and the brisket, and I got the pork and the chicken. While the chicken was alright, the pork was terribly terribly dry. My lunch buddy howevs, holy baby jeebus. The brisket and ribs that were on her plate were so delicious, I wasn't sure whether to rub them on my body, or stuff them in my face! Prices were reasonable and service was quick. It was my very first experience with sweat tea, and it was pretty bonus too! Super num yummies :)
(4)Rachel T.
Being the only female exec on a team of four means the guys give me the tour of out of the way, slightly shady looking lunch places. And they certainly gave me fair warning before heading to this place. If there's a pig smoking a joint painted on the side of the shop, being "classy" probably isn't at the top of the list. That said, they serve up some good BBQ and do it with excellent service and simple style. You don't even get a plate unless you order one of their platters. Everything is served take-out style. I kept it basic and went with a chopped beef sandwich and baked potato. Both were good--the sandwich was HUGE and the potato appropriately portioned. They do not serve soda but do have tea, lemonade, water, and punch as beverage options. I'm glad to now be able to say, I've tried this South Dallas eatery. However, even with my GPS I don't know if I would have found this place. And I certainly wouldn't head out there by myself. But if you make your way there (and I would suggest you do), they do have an adequate size parking lot so no need to amble through the neighborhood. Quick in and easy out.
(3)Neal P.
Sometimes you go to places for the atmosphere, for the service, and/or for its notoriety. Not here. The menu is...simple. You have your meats, your sides and some kind of combination of these 5 meats between bread, on lettuce, or with some stuff on the side. That's it. All of their meats are fantastic, their sauce is great, and their kool-aid punch is amazing. Be careful though, their portions are large and very fairly priced. I'm a big guy with big eating habits and I was only able to make it halfway through my Shak's platter (5 Meats + 2 sides). I've been around the bbq block in Dallas and I've got to say that the food here was amazing. When you step through the doors don't expect to have anything beyond efficient customer service because really, this place is all about the food.
(5)Tj F.
As a Foodie, This is the closest you will get to Memphis style/St Louis BBQ. Fortunately for me since i live Downtown its a stonethrow away from me. Its in a run down part of the community but nonetheless pretty safe. They have the best pork ribs in the area compared to the Typical Texas style bbq served in the Metroplex. They even have Boudain though they might have spelt it wrong. The salad is probably the most fattening and most meaty salad i have ever had and please dilute the sweat tea or lemonade otherwise you will have a sugar rush for ages. they normally have some dessert cake up but i normally dont do sweets and just stick to the ribs, Chicken and Hot links. I try not to finish my meal cos its plain sinful and the Loaded Baked Potatos are the Bomb as in tons of toppings. I try to go once a month otherwise i will probably die or coronary heart disease b4 i turn 40.
(5)Melissa M.
Yummy to my tummy pretty much wraps up this review. I ordered the stuffed baked potato with brisket and sausage links and it was mmm, mmm good. My husband and I split it and still did not eat the entire montrosity. We ordered the slice brisket sandwich and green beans for our little girl. Note that the chopped brisket is better then the sliced brisket. The sliced brisket was a little tough but the chopped brisket in the baked potato was nice and tender. I'm not much of a green bean fan but OMG these were THE BEST green beans I have ever had. No exaggerating. They have a mixture of seasonings, grilled chicken and brisket in them. I have got to figure out that recipe!! The only downfall of this place is that it is super small inside which isn't bad in itself but it was super HOT. They need to kick on some A/C in this 100+ weather.
(5)Erich S.
I was a little hesitant to recommend this place on Yelp...mainly cause I don't want to encourage too many more folks to crowd out the lunch rush...but then I again, I also want to share the greatness that is BBS. I guess this is Memphis style bbq...but it's the best I've had in Dallas. The ribs deserve a monument. The savory boudain is a side! Unique and delicious. I think this might be BBQ heaven in Dallas. I skip the limited selection of beverages (strictly water for me) and also the sauce. This meat don't need it! Get the 3-meat plate and you can pig out and have enough to take home and feed three people...I"m not joking.
(5)Mark H.
So being from Dallas and living in Oak Cliff, I have been asked for advice on good Dallas area BBQ spots. I had a chance to take my boss and a group of coworkers to a BBQ spot around Downtown, so I took some advice and ventured over to Baby Back Shak- the pressure was on. First thing about BBS- the food is fantastic! everyone left full and ready to come back again. I had the ribs, sliced brisket, beans, and potato salad. The ribs are cooked with a special rub and are not wrapped for the "fall of the bone effect"- which can make the meat a little greasy. The quality of meat is what really stands out with every smoky delicious bite. The sliced brisket is tender and the rub/ smoke combination makes this one of my favorite spots for brisket. The beans were at the top of our group's list. They had such a great flavor, the beans alone will make you come back. Potato salad was good but nothing really special. I also had a bite of the cake- and it is definitely some home made goodness- yum! I highly recommend this little slice of hole in the wall heaven. Dont go for the safe neighborhood feel, high end service or kitschy decorations- you will definitely walk away disappointed. This is a hole in the wall joint, so who cares when you are eating the best BBQ in town. Also, head next door to Lee Harvy's and grab a beer or 3- great spot and great times!
(5)Chris L.
Damn good BBQ. The parking sucks. This place could be a solid 4.5 if it weren't for the shitty tea. If you're going to have sweet tea, it should be REAL tea! I'm 99% certain that the stuff in that jug was just Lipton Ice Tea w/ Lemon powder since it tasted like foul lemonade. I had the rib plate ($9.50). The ribs were dry (as in no BBQ sauce, not that the meat was dry), had a good amount of meat on them, had a crust AND had a nice pink smoke ring. Not the best ribs I've ever had, but really good, nonetheless. There are two things that make the Baby Back Shack an excellent joint, in my humble opinion: 1) the beans; 2) the boudin sausage. Oh, and # 2.5) the fact that boudin can be ordered as one of your SIDES! How dope is that? The beans here transcend the realm of mere legumes. Sweet, but not cloying; meaty, but not overdone. Soft, but firm to the teeth. I taste these beans in my dreams. If you boil it, they will come. The boudin is outstanding as well. I grew up eating boudin on white bread for a good chunk (or chunky) of my teen years, so I know good boudin. B-B-Shack's boudin is the best I've had outside of the great state of LA. The skin has a nice pop to it, it's spicy as hell, and just makes you want to smile when it eat it. I went during lunch and the place was PACKED, but the line went quickly. I've been told it's dead at night, save for the lazy folks getting take out. If you eat in at night, it will most likely just be you and the Dallas PD.
(4)Erik B.
I stop in here for Boudin frequently. Tastes great!
(5)Dylan P.
Update - I had a rare chance to get a ton of Baby Back Shak for my family for Christmas Eve lunch. The sliced brisket was moist and lean. The ribs which I never had before were the best Dallas BBQ has to offer. I had two new firsts there with the BBQ beans and coleslaw both were excellent as well. BBS has no weaknesses and continues to be the best BBQ joint in N. Texas. Their staff while militant before was warm and courteous this time which made the experience that much better.
(5)