Grant T.

Looking for excellent Kansas City style BBQ in the PNW and coming up short. Great to find a spot with tons of Chiefs memorabilia, though, as Stan is originally from KC. Several beers on tap. Beans were ok. Nice and smoky but without meat. Meat did not stick to the rib bones as it should. Meat was tasty as was the sauce. Service was generally friendly, although one server seemed a bit reserved. Thought it was telling when one servers went across the street to buy lunch and then brought it back to eat it at Stan's. My search for excellent BBQ in the PNW continues...
(3)
Thomas P.

Had the "Who's your daddy" combo that came with ribs, pulled pork, links, and brisket plus sides. The links were nice and spicy which genuinely surprised me since most "hot links" aren't spicy at all. I'm personally not a big fan of added sauce to my BBQ (which I know is a big part of "Kansas Style") but the pork and ribs really needed some sauce to add an extra bit of flavor--although they were nice and tender/moist. The best part was the brisket. Although it wasn't presented in nice clean slices like you would see on the cooking channels, the flavors were good and meat super tender. Overall the service was friendly and fast, even if it's not THE best bbq I've had, I would definitely come back.
(4)
Jessica K.

I love this place so much. I've been coming here since high school and it never disappoints. The portions are massive, but not only that, it tastes GOOD. BBQ here is usually sticky, tiny portioned, and tastes like its pre-frozen, but Stans is the real thing. Ok so I haven't actually been to the South but I assume it tastes like the real thing. We usually get the large combo platters since our group usually consists of at least four people. Their chicken is super juicy and well seasoned, and even the turkey is flavorful. But the real deal is the big platter that comes with ribs, sausage, brisket, pulled pork, and creamed corn. The sausage is spicy and tasty, and the brisket and pulled pork are always the right amount of fat to lean. The sauces are vinegar based and are excellent on their own right, and doesn't mask the meat. Special mention to the creamed corn though. It's a mix of cream, cayenne, and super fresh corn. They might use frozen or canned corn but it tastes like it was fresh shucked.
(5)
Jayson G.

Was in town 8/23/15 around 4pm for that time of the day, when I looked at places to eat in downtown Issaquah originally my plan was to eat at max'a world cafe. But disappointed when I found out that it's closed on Sunday's now. Good thing my appetite turned into BBq and the closest one is stan's parking is good the track of the restaurant with access door soon as I walked in I can smell that smoked flavor. The manager and the servers made this warm greeting and made me feel comfortable to seat anywhere I want. I ordered one of the biggest entree which is who's your daddy. Soon as I got the food I was very impressed with the amount they serve its awesome! I like big serving! I start up with the ribs very smokey flavor and very tasty it was awesome, the pork was great! Brisket oh yeah! Almost perfect!! Links are good too! I give this place a 4 star! If I will find something for cons it's gotta be the temperature of the food, it came quick when I ordered but I would expect more warmer than it. But overall, awesome bbq!
(4)
Dustin S.

My mother and I decided to try this place out. It smells delicious inside (like smoked BBQ). Service was very quick and friendly. After we ordered the food it came out not long than 5 mins! I ordered the brisket sandwich which was pretty good. I wasn't too impressed by their sides, I had their coleslaw, baked beans, and potato salad. They place a a partial bar too and offer happy hour deals. I would only come back if I was craving BBQ.
(3)
Je-Anne R.

Food quantity was awesome but quality suspect. Ordered "Who's your daddy" ... ribs were dry, brisket was tender but tasteless, hot link was hawt, and a half dozen smoked chicken wings that weren't very smoked. Service was slow - had to go to counter or flag down server for correct sauce, water, and just gave up on correcting bread request or box to go. Waste of calories, won't be returning.
(2)
Suman C.

After reading the reviews, we thought we'd risk it. BAD IDEA. This is quite possibly the WORST food I've ever eaten. The ribs were almost bearable with a ton of bbq sauce, but my wife and son has the chicken which at first I said "eat it, it's got to be good," but I put it in my mouth to show it was good and immediately spit it out. Even my beer tasted weird (I got a Mack & Jack's African Amber and it has a taste as if the lines for the tap hadn't been cleaned. McDonald's McRib is better tasting and probably better for you than this garbage. I honestly would be afraid of what I'd see if this show was ever on Kitchen Nightmares.
(1)
Tom M.

With all the Kansas City paraphernalia I was expecting some good BBQ from the place that knows how it's done, KC. Unfortunately, BBQ was super dry and just taste like burnt pork jerky. Brisket was the only edible thing. The wings were the worst. Burnt all around. Sides were super small too. If you want BBQ in the Eastside, keep searching
(1)
T S.

I'm not a barbecue aficionado. The food was good, but the ribs and the pulled pork didn't have a lot of flavor. Yes, they came with sauces which were fine, but I expected more flavor in the meat itself. The service was quite good and they were generous with the bread (great for my 2yo).
(3)
Boop B.

Come hungry, because there's a lot to eat and if you're hungry, it'll really taste good. We ordered the big platter that included the links, pulled pork, ribs, and brisket. It must've been a little busy because the lady mixed our sides, forgot our sauces, and another lady brought out the same order to us again. But, everything was corrected quickly. In my opinion, everything needed some sauce. I was not able to eat any of it alone because it was either way too dry for me or too subtle in taste. My favorite were the ribs, though. Dunked in the sweet or hot sauce and you've got a wet, meaty deliciousness. The pulled pork was great with the sauce sandwiched by a slice of bread. The links were extremely dry. Almost like eating an overcooked bear sausage link. The brisket was dry. Even with a slather of sauce, the dryness really seeped through. Oh, and the hot sauce is not hot at all. A tiny kick and you're left wondering when the next karate move will come next. Anyhow, not the most impressive. But, still good for a hungry, hungry hippo.
(4)
Michael B.

Not the best BBQ I have had. I picked the pulled pork combo that came with baked beans and the potato salad. The meat itself was drier than normal but the BBQ helped a lot. Not a huge fan of the sauces either - I guess I like more of the thick sugary diabetic causing BBQ sauces, seemed a little watered down and lacked the flavor. The potato salad was alright - and the beans, very watery as well and needed to add some salt for flavor. Decided to try it out with the family through a Groupon bought (might have been a sign) and had a couple little outdoor tables that was nice to sit at in the sun. The wait staff was great and helpful but don't think I will be going back. Have heard other people say great things but not my style.
(2)
Jody H.

AMAZING!:) Great customer service! Great food! And Superior Service with a smile:). Exactly what is expected to receive a great review!!!!
(5)
Kristen B.

Came here for a late lunch- Got the Brisket Sandwich and Potato Salad- The meat was tasty- I loved the hot bbq sauce- Very vinegary which I am a huge fan of ( guess its the KC way? ) The bread was just a little blah.. Took the bun off didn't really need it. The potato salad was great- Loved the flavor- My mom got the pulled pork and coleslaw- She loved the sweet bbq sauce - Looking forward to coming back and trying something different, and have with a cold beer.
(4)
Kent D.

Not surprisingly, the best KC BBQ in the region!! I understand the disappointment of some others, it's not the best BBQ in Kansas City, however, one has to live with our geographical limitations. As KC ExPats, my brother and I try every BBQ place in the sound in the search for good KC BBQ. We still haven't found beans as good as Zarda's in KC but this is the best meat. This is BBQ for those who like KC style (and likely Texan style). Most of the BBQ in this region is Southern style which is different and not as appealing to those from KS or TX. We catered it for our wedding & all the KC ExPats loved it while the Kansas Citians found it acceptable. After 12+years, there still isn't better KC Style in the sound. You'll find me here every Father's Day & we never get to eat anywhere else if we are going to eat in Issaquah as we just can't pass this up.
(5)
Doug S.

Great beer and great BBQ. You must get the creamed corn. Little spicy, very good. A little pricey but worth it.
(4)
Chelsea A.

I'm very picky about my barbecue, if it's too smoky or the smoke isn't done right it tastes bitter to me. Stan's does it perfectly. So perfectly in fact I ordered more to take home. I got the pulled pork and a side of their potato salad. It was so good. Sweet and salty with the lovely smoke flavor done perfectly, not to mention the smell of the smoker fills the place and so you're just in heaven. My boyfriend got a platter that had ribs and brisket and ate it all. So good and such friendly staff!
(5)
Anjana A.

Don't go to Stan's if you're a vegetarian or want to eat light, it's not that kind of place. The ambience of this place almost reminds me of the BBQ in Tennessee, the land of BBQ. Almost. Not quite as they really know their meat in the South. They serve big platters of pulled pork or ribs, and this is probably the best BBQ in Issaquah. However, it's a little expensive. I've been here 3 times now and BBQ has been pretty consistent, decent pulled pork and ribs. For me the BBQ is still on the dry side, and the sauces leave much to be desired, as they're just average. The creamed corn side is yummy and creamy. The potato salad could do with some more seasoning. Since I've eaten coleslaw all over the South, I just won't comment on Stan's. I've had better. Ambience is old time bar type, a little divey but with good service. The waitresses are friendly and bring out the food fairly quickly.
(3)
Carrie H.

I have to admit they are the best BBQ place in town when Big House BBQ's trailer isn't parked out and about somewhere. They are a bit on the expensive side in my opinion. They have several different flavor I asked for the regular and the sweet because I had never been in there and only got the regular sauce for some reason. Despite the price we will more than likely be back.
(4)
Laurie G.

I went for lunch with my 3 yo and got a a beef brisket "sandwich" (beef on a soft roll), coleslaw (limpish), side of beans (wet but yummy), a slice of pecan pie (delish), a coke ($2.99!!!), and a child sized teeny tiny Sprite ($2.49). Total cost: $29! Though the beef brisket was very soft and tasty, this meal was just insanely overpriced. The service was courteous and timely. The interior was attractive, though perhaps 8 TVs is a bit much for such a small space. But we will never return. Not even for dinner. It's just too overpriced, which made otherwise tasty food seem dry and not yummy enough. Also now I have a tummy ache. It's too bad they can't rework the menu a little. Surely there is a way to provide a smaller beef sandwich with 2-3 small sides for $12-14.
(3)
Stephanie R.

If I could give this place no stars I would. Got the turkey and so did my boyfriend. When we got it, I was shocked. Sauce on the side in a plastic cup, not even cooked with the meat which was gross and the bun seemed like it was taken straight from the bag it was gross. The hot bbq sauce was disgusting and not spicy. The potato salad tastes like is came from the grocery store. Bleach
(1)
Richard C.

I consider myself a barbecue aficionado so when I saw a groupon for stans I decided to buy it and give myself an excuse to cruise out to Issaquah and try it. Months later I finally got around to it, and my only regret was waiting so long. You catch the scent of Stan's long before you see it. the smoky aroma is all the navigation you need for the last three blocks. The barbecue is as good as there is in the area. The brisket is as good as I've had this side of the Rio Grande the pulled pork was equally good and the ribs were the icing on the smoky cake. Do yourself a favor. Make the trip you won't regret it
(5)
Neil H.

Went there pretty early (5pm) on a Thursday night with my two boys. At first glance, the prices seemed VERY high; $8.99 for a kid's meal (no drink). Granted, there were 4 small ribs, but I'd rather pay $5.99 for 2 ribs, a side, and a fountain drink. My other son got Kraft Mac-n-cheese (just like you'd make at home, but parts were dried out which made it seem like they were made earlier in the day). I would guess it was ~1 cups' worth. Price? $5.29 (includes one side - he chose a small bag of Lay's potato chips - but no drink). Anyway, I got the half slab of ribs (they only have baby-back) for $16. Comes with one small side and a piece of standard Wonder bread. The ribs were cooked fine; not too dry, not too moist, and pulled off the bones. But the flavor of the ribs themselves was very bland; no spice or salt of note. The barbeque sauces were average; mild, medium, hot. I chose hot, but it's not that spicy. The server was disinterested at best; it was slow, so maybe he hadn't ramped up his game for the dinner crowd. Overall, pricey, mediocre quality, and inattentive service. Bathrooms were clean though.
(2)
Brian S.

Meh... I tried the links, the brisket, pulled pork. Also tried the sauces (sweet, medium and hot). The Sauces: very average. The hot, wasn't. The medium... ehh. In short, serviceable. Not bad, just okay. The Meat: All tried without the sauces. They were all tender having been slow cooked. However they ALL lacked flavor and could not stand on their own without a heavy dousing of sauce. Even the links lacked flavor... that takes talent. Overall: it was very average. I'd come back if I were desperate for meat. But I wouldn't go out of my way for it.
(3)
Andy M.

Baby back ribs were the bomb ! Chicken was good! Sides were good ! Meals served with slice of white bread ! Should cornbread!
(4)
Debby B.

Do not support this restaurant. Bought a Groupon and didn't notice in the "fine print" (manager's words, not exclusively mine) that it's dine-in only. I went to place a to-go order after a long, hot dirty day of working in the yard, and was informed that I could not use the Groupon that I'd already paid for on a take-out order. Okay, fine. I left, and the manager was incredibly sarcastic in his response of "Have a nice day" as I left. There were several customers in the establishment eating and probably heard. I was neither rude not overtly angry, just a little frustrated (I actually left before I got angry). Several minutes later, I called and informed the manager that I had been in and had wanted to use the Groupon. I said that it was my 35th anniversary and after a day of working in the dirt, we were in no shape to come for a dine-in only situation. I was again neither rude nor overtly angry but the "manager" apologized in the least sincere manner that he could not override Stan's decision about the Groupon rules. I told him that we've been regular customers and that he was in peril of losing us and anyone else we knew. He was unyielding and he either didn't have the flexibility to determine best practice or he was afraid to for fear of getting in trouble with Stan. Either way, I do not want to support a business where a simple decision- to prepare a to-go order, which they do all the time- was too much for them to bend on when it came to the execution of a single decision made by Stan years ago. I would've tipped on the order had I had the chance but was never given it. I will never go back (and truthfully, the food is not that great that it matters much) and I will find a subtle way to get my Groupon value out of it. However, this is not an establishment I recommend- go to the Cedar River Smokehouse in Renton (very tasty) or 3 Pigs in Bellevue instead. Stan's has permanently lost a customer over a minuscule reason and could've cared enough about their customer base (especially since we are Issaquah residents) to make a very simple exception. Sometimes the way you feel about a place supersedes everything else. Don't patronize Stan's!
(1)
Trevor T.

The food here is hit or miss. Either extremely satisfying, or kind of a let down. The buns are cheap supermarket quality and the sides need to have a few flaws ironed out. Won't take a flavor scientist to recognize the potato salad is undercooked. Baked beans didn't do much for me. I won't go into detail because I WOULD recommend Stan's. For the area the food is great and the pulled pork is impeccable. Not to mention, they have a full bar! Can't wait to try the baby back ribs and smoked wings. 8.3/10
(4)
Jason H.

Bbq is pretty good, decent portions and good flavor. Won't honor your Groupon for anything but eating there. Ordered my food and asked for to go boxes immediately. Makes no sense that they'd structure their Groupon offer that way. To summarize: eh
(3)
Walter K.

Top notch. This is the best barbecue restaurant I have found in the Seattle area. I grew up in a little town in north Alabama. There wasn't a McDonald's or a pizza joint, but there were four BBQ places. The fourth best place there is way better than any BBQ place I have found in the Seattle area, apart from Stan's. Stan could keep the doors open in Alabama. The analogue would be finding a place in rural Alabama that serves salmon as good as you can find in Seattle. I particularly like the pulled pork, but the brisket is nice too. Skip the sauces and just ask for the chipolte Tabasco.
(4)
Madel V.

My husband and I walked in to check the place and we saw it was pretty busy which should be an indication that the food is decent at the very least. Since it was a hot day, we ordered iced tea. When the drinks arrived I had a few sips and was unsure if it was iced water or the iced tea we ordered. I asked the server just to be sure and she confirmed it was indeed iced tea. It was seriously watered down and she can't do anything to fix it. That should have been a red flag. Anyway, since we were starving we went ahead and ordered beef brisket. I ordered mine with buns and side of creamed corn. My husband ordered his with white bread and sides of Coleslaw and potato salad. When our plates arrived, I had to chuckle that my husband had a piece of white bread. 1 piece of regular white bread. The brisket looked wet. Not enough flavor. Very tender though. After a few spoons of the creamed corn, my mouth was on fire! I didn't expect it to be so spicy. My husband's coleslaw was flavorless. I asked the server if the creamed corn was supposed to be spicy, and she said there's supposed to be a little kick to it. It looks like I got all the kick. I asked if I can get a new serving that has a mild spiciness and she said it all comes from one pot. I told her I can't eat it because it's just too spicy. She says sorry but doesn't offer to take it off the bill. After all that disappointment, we didn't want to try their dessert. No need to add more to our $42 bill. Definitely not worth it.
(1)
Sally B.

I thought I was blindfolded, eating at Old Country Buffet!! Where do I start??? Everything tastes the same, chicken/pulled pork/ribs. All the sauces are horrible, the hottest one is like a mild at any other bbq place. Next time I'll bring my own, oh wait...there won't be a next time. Lastly, how can you have a bbq restaurant with no cornbread? I swear I was served a piece of wonder bread, unbelievable. Check their dumpster for a bunch of cans of store bought baked beans.
(3)
Jared B.

I have high expectations for barbeque. Moist, smokey meat that is a little tangy and definitely savory. Stan's BBQ does a "dry" style of barbeque that frankly, I'm just not that into. For me, Stan's is 3.5/5, but if you spend any amount of time in there you end up exuding the scent of delicious smoked meats for hours. And thus they get 4. I had the great pleasure of having a girlfriend who worked here, so I got to sample the entire menu more than once. The meat is consistently flavored with a vaguely mustardy but light smoke which works well for the beef and pork briskets but is a little lacking on the ribs and chicken. The sides are generally well done, the cole slaw and potato salad are great and the baked beans has a good home-cooked taste. The creamed corn, which is great to mix with the beans, is more soupy than creamy, but still tasty. For the price, some plates don't quite deliver on value, such as the chicken. The portions are generous and usually leaves enough to share or save for leftovers. The ambiance of Stan's is excellent, a modern Western theme with all of the charms of history, lots of wood and old photos combined with friendly and efficient staff make for a great dining experience. One thing I really like about coming here is that it feels like I'm visiting an old friend's home with how welcoming the staff are.There are paper towel rolls at every table which is essential for good BBQ. KC style BBQ fans will love Stan's, but for folks like me who were spoiled by Memphis style BBQ, we will merely be temporarily satisfied in our lust for decadent smoked meats.
(4)
Michael M.

Great spot, surprised the reviews aren't higher. Great smoked meat and you get to lather your own sauce. Don't be bashful to ask for more sauce or bread/buns, love this joint!
(5)
Amos Y.

Came here with a group of guys, got the Who's your daddy, fullback, ribs, and wings. So we got to try some of everything. They also serve each dish with your choice of a hamburger bun or bread. The ribs are dryrub style. They were pretty tender, easily coming off the bone. A little on the oily side, but still delicious. The wings and brisket were juicy with a nice slightly crunchy skin. The sausage links are pretty standard oily sausage with a good touch of flavor. And the creamed corn as a side needs a special call out, very creamy and sweet. Perfect for offsetting all the oily meat. The only thing that wasn't quite up to expectations is the chicken and the the pulled pork, both were a bit dry and weren't that flavorful, needed to dip it in the hot sauces they give you to get it down.
(3)
Orchamedes R.

Oh yeah. I have waited so long to have real kansas city BBQ and i was not disappointed. So good. Go Chiefs!
(5)
Johnny W.

I was very impressed by Stan's BBQ. Issaquah is a nice city to visit and Stan's is a great place to eat. The decor is quaint and the restaurant definitely blends in with the downtown area. Once inside you get that original BBQ house feel. Our party of 3 enjoyed a variety of the offerings to include the pork ribs, pulled pork and brisket, not to mention several of the sides. We were not disappointed at all! You get a lot to eat and the prices are very reasonable. The service was friendly and attentive from the moment we walked in until the moment we left. I'll definitely be coming back to Stan's!
(5)
Jessica D.

We bought a Groupon for Stan's and we were looking forward to using it. The staff was friendly, but the food was average. The meat is bare, which some people may like, but it lacked the punch most BBQ places have. The sauce you could add wasn't my favorite either. All in all, an okay meal, but we would rather go to Rhodies for half the price and better food.
(3)
Lily L.

So good and well smoked! We had the Who's your daddy and KC bbq. Cream corn side was amazing! We got carry out yesterday and will be getting it again today. :)
(5)
Kristin C.

At least I had a groupon. First off, what kind of self-respecting BBQ places doesn't make their own iced tea? Panera even makes their own iced tea. It's like the easiest thing in the world to make. Stan's charges you $3 for Nestea Iced Tea from the Soda Fountain. I am sorry, that is just not acceptable under any circumstances. The food? Well, I guess you can call it food. We ordered the "Who's your daddy" platter for $25 with the intention of taking leftovers home. Well, we left half a plate of meat there. That meat couldn't handle being re-heated anymore. I am guessing they just make a bunch at once and re-heat it day after day? Everything we had was dry, and flavorless. We tried ribs, brisket, pulled pork and sausages. The ribs were at least edible. The Hot Link at least had some spice and flavor to it, although the meat itself was gross. We ordered baked beans and potato salad as our sides. They literally tasted like the stuff you can get at the grocery store. They are obviously not even bothering to make these things themselves, which is sad, because once again, they are easy. We were also routinely ignored. Multiple tables got beverages before us, despite them getting seated after us. We had to ask repeatedly to get a re-fill on our Nestea iced tea. Our server just disappeared. All in all, no, just no. Yes, in case you were wondering, I have been to Kansas City, and I do know what Kansas City BBQ should taste like.
(1)
Jesse P.

We found a Gem! Happen to be looking for a place to eat lunch and stumbled upon Stan's. Located in historic downtown Issaquah this charming little place impressed us with excellent service and savory BBQ! We will most definitely be returning!
(5)
Heidi M.

Good bbq food for Issaquah. Thwy make good sandwiches, wings and ribs. Lots of different sauces (sweet, mild, spicy). They offer take out which is nice. their sides are all good, cream corn is the best. Also have a full bar and tvs.
(4)
Amy Y.

Been here several times and love this place! The things to get are their briskets that are super tender, juicy and just thinking about them makes my mouth water! Their links are quite tasty as well. I was a little disappointed by their baby back ribs because I like those melting off the bone and these didn't quite do that. But love every thing else. Great nice portion sizes, service is great, sauce is awesome and the sides and bread are delish!
(5)
N.A. B.

Very good pulled pork, had the sweet sauce and put my creamer corn on top. The sandwich made the short drive home with getting soggy, but I would recommend eating there if you're getting a sandwich. The potato salad was very sweet because of all the sweet pickle relish, but it was good.
(5)
Amanda L.

Definitely not the best BBQ I've had. But it was okay. The drinks were strong and the service decent.
(3)
Tanzee M.

Can't say enough. Large portion of super tender beef brisket. Family pack of brisket, ribs, chicken links and ribs. All done Kansas City style. Bread, rolls and side. One regret, I did have enough sweet cream corn (yummy). On top a great vibe and service. High on my list.
(5)
Lorrin C.

Enjoyed a large sampler platter "Who's Your Daddy" and you have to be a serious meat eater to finish this plate by yourself. Two of us ate our fill and there's enough for another meal. We had coleslaw (which did not strike my fancy), good potato salad, and the creamed corn which was uniquely done and will be a first choice pick of sides from here on. Service was excellent. Erica was efficient, friendly, and cute as a button. If you crave BBQ check Stan's next time you are in Issaquah.
(4)
Georgia G.

Finally a barbecue place that is great just like the ones where we used to live Kansas! The rib meat fell off the bone and great selection of sauces....our new fav
(5)
R C.

Food appeared as if it was grabbed from an impoverished grandma's pantry. The brisket was served with a slice of wonder bread (not kidding), and canned beans. The brisket was palatable, but was dry and fairly mediocre. I would not eat here again.
(2)
L S.

Had dinner tonight 01/03/2015. The ribs and brisket were dry, very disappointing. The service was fast, the help were pleasant. I do not recommend and would not return to this restaurant.
(1)
Holli M.

My first time there. Ordered the sampler with pulled pork, brisket, 3 ribs and 2 sides (beans and potato salad). The bread was just a slice a bread, meh. The ribs were ok and the pulled pork was kinda dry. The brisket was the best thing, very moist. It came with 3 sauces sweet mild and hot. The place was pretty empty when we arrived but filled up when we left. Service was good in the beginning but when the crowd came- we were non existent. The food was ok - maybe I'd go back but not for a special trip.
(3)
Jason S.

Came here for dinner on a Thursday. I had the brisket platter with beans. Beans were better than average for a BBQ joint. Brisket was disappointing - minimal flavor, dry, very little smoke and no bark. Wife and son have pulled pork which was good - moist with some smoke, but not overly flavorful. Potato salad was average. On a positive note, service was awesome!
(2)
Frank H.

My son, who lives in Issaquah took me to Stan's for BBQ. He knows I've done competition BBQ so I can be a hard critic. The staff was very nice but the brisket I ordered was on the low end of a one. First, I thought it was roast beef instead of brisket or a very cheap cut of brisket. It was almost half fat and didn't have a taste of smoke. The BBQ was bland even though I ordered the hot. Probably the worse BBQ I have ever had. Evidently, the people who eat there have never had real smoked BBQ.
(1)
Jenni M.

We went here to watch football and try some BBQ! We live in Kent and the places that show football there have subpar food. My boyfriend and I shared the "Who's Your Daddy" - 1/2 pound pulled pork, 1/2 pound brisket, 3 ribs, 2 hot links and 2 sides. It was a LOT of food and we enjoyed all the food and the sauce. The staff was friendly and they had plenty of TVs to show all of the NFL games. Next time I want to try the breakfast burrito which I heard them talking about (with brisket), and a smoky Bloody Mary. We will definitely come back!
(4)
Mitchel L.

The pulled pork and brisket lacked flavor and volume, so it was soggy and tasteless. I could not taste any smoke or rub and had to be heavily supplemented with their sauce. I've had leftover Brisket that tasted better. Will not be back.
(1)
Charles J.

We both ordered the hog and hen sandwich and regre tted it. The bread was dry, the meat was dry, and hard. We joked about it being fossilized. All together it was a really bad meal. Service was okay just a little slow. We won't eat here again.
(1)
Jeremy Y.

If you come here, get the Whose Your Daddy, sausage, brisket, ribs, pulled pork and 2 sides... what could go wrong? Thier barbeque sauce is great on pulled pork in between 2 slices of bread. Pulled pork+ bread+ bbq sauce= deliciousness!
(5)
Richard B.

(written by susan - not dick) - We tried Stan's for the first time using a Groupon - we ordered the Who's Your Daddy so we would have leftover and boy did we! I do not understand the poor reviews - maybe folks just don't "get" this type of BBQ - it was terrific - and at age 69, I have eaten a lot of BBQ in a lot of States. The two servers were charming and helpful. Food was yummy - made myself a pulled pork sandwich, wondering about the white bread - but actually it worked perfectly with the pork and sauce - there was nothing that we did not like about the atmosphere, service or food. We will be back and at Groupon prices, it is a steal!
(4)
Becca H.

The last time we had bbq outside of KC was somewhere in Boisie Idaho when we moved here from the Midwest. That was absolutely average compared to Stans! This place is like coming home! The Meat is all good, but the Brisket and Links shine a bit happier on the plate. The "who's your Daddy combo is more than enough for two meat lovers and for the volume, a true value. They have a great beer and drinks selection and the service with a smile is both attentive and helpful. Thanks for a wonderful Birthday for the Darling Heart--his "Happy can not be contained!"
(5)
Nate W.

The service was fast and friendly and I enjoyed my draft Shiner bock. We got the "Hawk's nest" which was 1/2 chicken and 1/2 brisket. The brisket was so dry there wasn't enough sauce in the place to save it. Simply put this BBQ is mediocre at best.
(2)
Jackie D.

Stan's has been added to one of my favorite and easy dinner options. It's my husband and my new place to get take-out as we have an infant and its easier to eat at home. Plus they can have it ready so fast. We also bought some of their hot BBQ sauce to take home. I transferred it into a mason jar and it last a long time! Yum!
(5)
Melissa D.

I will start by saying that judging by my experience the last two times I went for bbq, I should have realized I just don't care for "Kansas City" bbq. I ordered the Fullback (1/2 chicken and 4 ribs) and my husband ordered The QB (4 ribs and pulled pork). one water to drink, one coke. total with tip was over $50. We both agreed that the ribs were pretty good - fall off the bone (but stayed on, if you know what I mean), with a nice smoky flavor. However, my chicken was over cooked and rather flavorless, and had some weird yellow goop on it (that I initially thought was mustard - it wasn't). the pulled pork was OK, but nothing to write home about - rather stringy. We had wanted to try the brisket, but given that we arrived an hour before closing, we were out of luck. I wouldn't choose to go back, would only recommend it to friends who claim to have a passion for Kansas City bbq. Now - to find some good Texas BBQ...
(2)
Nancy C.

Had a restaurant.com certificate (which they no longer do) and had to eat in. Cute bbq place and our waitress was nice (but slow and flustered when she had more than 2 tables). We ordered enough food for 4 even though there were only 2 of us (we had to feed the 2 at home with leftovers). The brisket was excellent (would eat it again) and the creamed corn was fantastic (hubby is still talking about it). Ribs were just ok, beans (yuk, all liquid very few beans). Tried all 3 bbq sauces and they were good (the hot - isn't really hot but just has a nice kick to it) It was definitely on the expensive side, probably wouldn't eat here again unless I had a coupon...............
(3)
Dave T.

Finally, A great BBQ restaurant! I ordered the brisket and pork. The meat was moist and tender. I cut through the brisket with my fork! The hot sauce was very tasty. The waitress was very nice and attentive. The only complaint that I have is that they put the BBQ sauce in small closed containers. You can order extra sauce but most people won't. You get 3 or 4 but I could have used 6 or 7 containers of sauce because I had a pound of meat. I think they are doing it to try to cut down on the amount of sauce people are eating. I figure that a of the sauce is left behind in the container and the container with the lid has to cost money. Is it really worth it? Just put the sauce in a bottle and put it on the table like everyone else. You'll make more money off of the returning customers. Parking is tough but that's not the restaurant's fault it's the City's. There are spots behind the restaurant. The City controls the street. Texan reviews listed here, seriously? This is WA State, not Texas. I lived in TX for a year. Drive around and try to find BBQ this good any place else in the area.
(5)
The B.

Dry and tasteless meat both times I've been here. Service was great even though. I won't be back!
(1)
Richard M.

I've always liked the atmosphere at Stan's, it's comfy, the beer selection is good and there are a number of TVs for watching the game. But that's really where the good things end. I stopped in to Stan's this afternoon for lunch and I honestly couldn't be more disappointed. I've had a lot of BBQ in my life and the brisket I was served was undoubtably the worst. It was grey, dry, and lacking any kind of flavor. It might as well been cooked in an oven, there was no smoke flavor at all, a McRib would have been more enjoyable. The sides were marginal as well. The potato salad was just food service bulk stuff and the beans were soupy like they just came out of a can. I see a number of good reviews for Stan's and wonder if they are just at a low point right now. I hope so because it has everything you need for a great BBQ joint, except the great BBQ. So Stan, please, FOR THE LOVE OF THE BBQ GODS, get your place in order and start serving good food!
(1)
Kenneth S.

Stan's Barbeque on Front Street in Issaquah is a really fun and friendly place with great food. I have lived in The South and Stan's Barbeque gets my "MmmmmmGooood!" stamp! Walking in, we were greeted by the smell of great barbeque and the manager greeting us from across the room like an old friend. Vintage pictures on the walls and EVERY staff member that walked by asked if they can do/get anything for you. Food portions are generous and after 10-12hrs cooking, the moist meat falls off the bone. Great place to meet friends or bring family. Thanks, Stan!
(4)
Graydon M.

Pretty good barbecue but let me caution you that I'm hard to please when it comes to que. I had The General which is a sandwich with both brisket and pulled pork on it. As a side I picked creamed corn and my sauce choice was mild. The meat had a decent flavor - not a real strong smoke flavor and no visible smoke ring. The mild sauce was a bit spicy and if you aren't careful you will cover up the flavor of the meat. The creamed corn was basically kernel corn with a milky liquid. Not what I think of when I think creamed corn but it was tasty nonetheless. On the whole it was pretty good and I will come back to try a few more items before I reach a final judgement. That's good though as some places put me off on the first visit.
(3)
Brian S.

BEST BBQ IN WASHINGTON. I am from Kansas City and have had Oklahoma Joe's, Smokehouse, Gates and Arthur Bryant. It's hard going up against the heavy hitters, which is why they get a 4/5. I will concede that there are some differences between Stan's and "traditional" KC BBQ. That said, I love this place! It is my staple for introducing people to good BBQ, my birthday and fantasy football draft day. Btw - Stan's only puts out winners. They do a great job at smoking their meat, the ribs and wings are very tender. The pulled pork is excellent and the brisket is done well. The sauce is on the side and leans towards the kansas city, sweeter sauce. They have so many tv's for game day and you'll see every team's jersey worn in this place. IF YOU'RE FROM KC..., this is your Chiefs and Royals headquarters, btw. The last time the Chiefs came out here they even had the VP of Boulevard beer come out. Anyway I could go on and on...BEST BBQ IN WASHINGTON.
(4)
Sumi A.

i'm a fan of STAN!!! yes... it's true! this girl from santa maria, raised on dry BBQ is a fan of wet BBQ now thanks to stan the man and oklahoma joes! my husband is from kansas city, and has a discriminating palate when it comes to kc bbq. our first impression of the place was that it was a very "chiefs" friendly restaurant, with a lot of great photos and articles lining the walls. the wafts of smokey bbq scent lingered around the door, and we were almost immediately hungry for some meat! we sat at the bar, and ordered some drinks, and entrees... the pulled pork for him, and the half rack of ribs for me. we got creamed corn, cole slaw, and baked beans on the side, and a caesar salad to share. i enjoyed a glass of pinot, and the restaurant manager came over to comment on our chiefs shirts, and gave us a run down of the restaurant. we felt so welcomed and comfortable, and knew that this would be our spot to watch sunday football going forward. the food came out promptly... and i tried both the sweet and the hot bbq sauces with the ribs. the hot was reeeeally hot for me, so i stuck with the sweet... both had a nice smoky flavor and went well with the ribs. the ribs were slightly fatty, but very tender and fell right off the bone. the pulled pork wasn't to my liking... and truth be told, i'm just not a person that ever enjoys a wet sandwich. my husband said the flavor was decent... but didn't blow his socks off. fair enough. we enjoyed the cole slaw and creamed corn... the beans were a little on the watery side, but he finished them right up anyway. we loved the slice of white bread on the side.... a signature item that brought the whole meal together with a sense of authenticity. we shared an ice cream sandwich for dessert, and left with happy mouths and tummies. we will be back at stan's this sunday, and every sunday thereafter for the game... and of course, another half rack of ribs! and this time... i'll be trying the famous BACON bloody mary!
(4)
Brent M.

Love me some Stans. I think this place gets unfairly dinged in reviews I read because of its steadfast dedication to authentic KC-style barbeque - and not watering down with what we think bbq should be. Prices are very fair, and the staff treats your right. Just be ready to smell like a [meat] smoker when you leave.
(5)
Gordon H.

I dislike writing bad reviews and I went out of my way to find Stan's. I ordered the rack of ribs and brisket. The rack did not come sliced which is fine and I like when the meat falls off the bone but these were ridiculous. I could not pick up a rib with leaving all the meat on the plate. It was pull out the bone and eat the meat with fork and knife. The brisket was disappointing as it lacked flavor. Not necessarily lacking seasoned flavor but even smoke flavor. It almost seemed like I got yesterday's ribs and brisket.
(1)
Kerry Ann R.

Hats off to Stan's BBQ! The "who's your daddy" was finger lickin' good. More than enough for two people to grub on... and still have plenty leftover for lunch. For meat lovers only! ribs, brisket, pulled pork and links, throw in a couple of sides and we're in hog heaven. Friendly atmosphere and great service. We will be back!
(4)
Sean R.

Got suckered into going here for work lunch after a four year absence from my first attempt. Yep, nothing has changed about this place. Absolutely disgusting representation of KC BBQ. I would be embarrassed to serve this. EVER. Extremely insulted to have this referred to as KC BBQ. I am a PNWBA certified bbq judge as well and even by PNW standards, this would get low scores at the judging table. I had 4 ribs and sliced beef brisket with liquid beans with some sort of pimento or vegetables. Brisket: Look at the brisket on the website stansbarbq.com . Then look at the brisket I was served. It was a mushy pile of overcooked gelatinous mess of overcooked collagen. It was unfit to serve to a dog! Brisket should be firm enough to pick up from both ends of the slice and stretch till it breaks apart in two pieces. This was just fatty mushy clumps of I dunno, what to call it but spongy pot roast MUSH. $17.99 for this combo!? No thank you! Pork ribs: Fatty, undersmoked absence of any smoke ring. No bark (seasoning). The meat was so overcooked it was melting apart in collagen chunks. Ribs should be firm enough to sink a teeth bite into and not pull the remaining meat away from the bone. This was super slimy, broken down meat that had no permeating smoke or memorable bark taste. People are confusing tender with overcooked mush. Beans: Canned beans with some sugar and pimentos or maybe some chopped bell peper mixed in. Still has the same powdery taste to it. KC beans should be dark, smoky, contain a hint of smoked pulled pork or brisket, and be thick enough to ea with a fork. These were runny opened cans of undercooked Bush's. All one would have to do is to try a side by side comparison with real KC BBQ by doing a dry ice drop shipment of bbq from JackStackbbq.com and find out the Stans bbq is a scam on the ideal, commercialism of Chiefs memorabilia, the authenticity, and most of all the taste. I laugh when they pull the food out of a warming oven instead of a holding pit.
(1)
Vangie G.

I can't believe that I haven't reviewed Stan's! One of the best bbq places on the eastside. We had family in town and needed a place for a big group. Luckily, it wasn't very busy and we managed to get a table pretty quickly. Being the first time for the fams, we ordered the MEGA order of "Who's your gran-pappy" platter which was 4 lbs of your choice meat PLUS one whole chicken, a full rack of ribs, 8 sides, and bread. Now THAT'S how to try everything! Six adults, a 5yr old, and toddler twins could not finish this meal. We had leftovers for days. Each time I've gone here, we have had really good service. Great place to take kids if not busy!
(4)
Ruben H.

Let me first say this isn't actual BBQ, I lived in South Carolina for 12 years and learned very quickly what IS and ISN'T BBQ...so far NOTHING in Washington State qualifies as BBQ. I will say Stan's BBQ does a decent job of smoking the Pulled Pork and Brisket, far from what is the southern standard but its okay and we use sauce friends send from NC and SC to use with it. I hope somehow someway we can find somewhere in this state to find real BBQ....to date though Rainin Ribs is the worst I've had in my life...by far!!!
(2)
David L.

I am not sure how this place received a "best barbecue in Seattle" rating in 2010, unless something has drastically changed. The atmosphere is nice and the service was good, but the food was the worst restaurant barbecue I have ever experienced. I noticed the reviews here vary wildly, so perhaps the cook or ingredients are inconsistent. We chose the "Hog Platter", which was four meats, six sides, and bread. The bread was normal store bought slices and sandwich buns, which was fine. The sides of potato salad, creamed corn, cole slaw, and beans were okay. The pulled pork was not bad. Both the chicken and pork ribs were very bland and dry, like they had been sitting too long. The beef brisket was not right at all. It had no smoke taste at all and was so wet that it had a boiled consistency. We ate probably a third of the meal and gave up, because it just was not very good. They gave us boxes to take the food, but we ended up tossing it out because we just did not want to finish it. There are several other barbecue places in the Seattle area (Columbia City, SODO, Bellevue, even Bothell) with better food. I will go there next time.
(1)
James P.

Just stopped by this afternoon to give this place a try with a few friends of mine and can honestly say it was the nastiest BBQ I've ever had. I ordered the beef brisket sandwich and had to double check to see if it was actually beef. It was so greasy and every bite of meat had big chunks of fat on it. My friend seemed to like his so I don't know if I just got a bad order or something else was wrong but it's safe to say that won't be returning to this place.
(1)
Gene H.

My daughter and I like to go here for a rack of ribs. The service was great, and the bbq sauces were so good.
(5)
Eileen R.

I had an excellent experience at Stan's. Met a friend there on a Wednesday night at 5:30. They weren't very busy, and our server was super friendly. Food: I got a half rack of ribs and potato salad. The ribs had a ton of meat on them, not too fatty, and the meat was falling off the bone...tender and moist. The sauce tasted familiar to me, like something I'd get back home in Missouri. That's when I noticed I was completely surrounded by Chief's paraphernalia. I about died. KC BBQ? In Issaquah?! STFU. To me this tasted like authentic KC BBQ. I would place it somewhere between Gates and Arthur Bryant (I'm more of a Smokehouse girl myself). I think my meal was between 12-13$. I'm not complaining about the price at all. It was delicious and a hefty portion (I got 2 full meals out of it). The potato salad was pretty good, too. And that's sayin' something since folks around these parts can't seem to get it quite right. Peeps from FAR south may have a different opinion, but if you've got a hankering for KC BBQ here's your spot. The only reason I can't give it 5 stars is because I'm from Kansas City and I'm just too damn picky when it comes to BBQ. It wasn't the best, most amazing BBQ I've ever had...but it was so damn good. I will definitely go back.
(4)
Aunt L.

We went in with 6 adults, three kids, one toddler, and a babe in arms. Even though all the tables were full, our wait was only about 10 minutes on a Friday night. Not bad! We ordered the Hog Platter, with 4 pounds of meat, 6 sides, and bread. We had the brisket, pulled pork, links, and smoked turkey. Everything was incredibly tender, to the point that my front-teeth-only 1 year old was able to tuck in with the rest of us. The menu says that this platter will feed 6 people, but there was just the right amount for the six adults and 3.5 kids. We did have to request refills on the bread three times, though - perhaps we were skimpy with the meat on our sandwiches, but nobody felt like just sitting down with a fork and knife and going cave-man on the two platters of meat. All in all, a really tasty, local option for BBQ!
(4)
Kayla A.

Tried this place for the first time the other day during lunch time. It was a Wednesday and it wasn't busy at all. My boyfriend and I walked in and was greeted from across the room by one of the waitresses who asked us to take a seat anywhere. They have multiple booths and table options as well as bar seating. I ordered "The Cowboy" which was a pulled pork sandwich and a choice of a side. My boyfriend had the beef brisket and pork sandwich, I don't remember what the catchy name was for that option. I had my pulled pork sandwich on a bun with BBQ potato chips. Our food came out just a few minutes after ordering it, so I assumed they already had them pre made, which was fine to me since we were in a rush. The sandwich was amazing! The BBQ potato chips, however literally came out in the Lays potato chip bag, which is okay too. My boyfriend had the creamed corn as his side option, which was okay as well. I gave this place a 3 out of 5 stars because it was just okay to me, but I would definitely come back again to try something different. Their prices were good and reasonable and service was fast and friendly. There is ample amount of parking stalls available around the back of the building, but it does fill up since there are multiple businesses around the area.
(3)
J. F.

Tasty Kansas City barbecue. Excellent pulled pork sandwiches and pork ribs. Selection if sauces to choose from. Rich beef brisket. Nice range of side dishes with their own kick. I like the potato salad best. Relaxed atmosphere that works for a thirsty team of adults after a game and also for a family lunch.
(4)
Jeff A.

First time for me at Stan's and service was so so. Food on a scale of 1 to 10 I would give it 7.5. Would I eat their again ?
(3)
Young H.

The food is good, even my wife liked the baby back ribs, beef brisket and pulled pork. Like some traditional places, the meals come with slices of white bread. There seems to be no fryer so if you and your kids want french fries, then this is not the place for you. We went to the 'happy hour' and discovered that 'happy hour' means there is one special on beers on tap and one food special. Worse yet, our waitress seemed fairly unprepared. When I asked her how much the one food special (the 1/2 link meal) costs during happy hour, she responded; "less than the menu price...let me go check." Ugh. Fortunately, she never came back to us again and a tall guy helped us the rest of the night. We will be back and hopefully the service will be more consistent. But the food is the reason we are coming back.
(3)
Mike F.

Pulled pork and brisket sandwich is almost to much meat for a lunch sandwich but I'm not complaining. The smoke smell when you walk it is just what you would expect from a bbq place, but there isn't the old grime you often find in lower quality bbq shacks. The sports bar side of the house is a nice complement to the bbq. My only complaint are their sides. Unlike the meat and sandwich the sides are lacking flavor and creativity. It's like they bought them at costco in bulk, which is a little harsh but makes my point. Love the place and highly recommend.
(4)
Juli-ann W.

If I'm craving a giant pile of meat, this is a standard go-to spot! With well cooked pulled pork and ribs (The QB), the meat is plentiful and flavorful. The hot sauce is some of my favorite - tangy and spicy. Sides are small, but tasty. The baked beans is my new favorite, especially with additional hot sauce. Fast, friendly service.
(4)
Michael P.

omg.... thats all i can say.... the best bbq i've ever had! period
(5)
Orville C.

We eat at Stan's eating several times each month. The staff greets every one that comes in the door and makes you an instant regular. It seems popular with families with kids and the staff makes them welcome. I've read reviews by people who happened to live somewhere in the South but are not true Southerners. Real Southerners know that BBQ is different by region and every region claims to be the only authentic BBQ. I was born in Kansas City and we go back every year to visit family. This is where we take friends to show them what authentic Missouri BBQ tastes like. We love the Missouri style barbeque sandwiches with smoked meats dripping in juice served on thin buns that barely serve to keep your fingers off the meat. Homemade sweet, mild and spicy sauce finish the deal. I love the Hot sauce and always have two with my sandwich. The sides are special for me because my Missouri mom made the exact same potato salad, beans and Cole slaw. It's like a visit to my roots. We haven't used their catering service but I've often heard them describing it to other customers. Ask about it if you have an interest.
(4)
Darrell S.

I have no idea how this place has 3.5 stars - I must be overly critical. I had the KC Good (1/2 pork ribs and brisket.) RIBS: tasted above-average, with great spicy sauce. But they obviously boil the meat first - its one thing that the meat just comes off the bone, its quite another that you can lift out the bone clean from rack without a fork. Not good BBQ BRISKET: This is where I'm scratching my head reading the other reviews... that brisket was nasty. Tasted boiled meat w/ no flavor or seasoning. I paid way too much for just to be able to eat 4 ribs. (the sides are okay - but I'm not rating that.)
(1)
Michael G.

I'm not sure I've had worse. This is a terrible, terrible offering of BBQ. I don't know I would even want to classify it as BBQ. Admittedly, I decided to give them a try even after reading some very specific and negative reviews, more from convenience then anything. Reading some of the positive reviews of this place just makes me want to open my own BBQ place up here even more. The disappointing trend of inferior BBQ continues, unfortunately here in the PNW. I mean, is it really that hard to use a good dry rub, wood and smoke some meat? Back to Stan's.... it took me one bite. One bite of each part of the meal to stop eating. 80% of my order is still sitting in my fridge. I kidded myself after spending almost $50 on two meals that I would have to eat it for lunch today because I didn't send it back. Truth is, I just didn't have the heart. People who usually do BBQ are real and good people. It doesn't mean that they have a license to produce BBQ like this. I had the turkey and brisket and my wife had ribs and brisket. Everything tasted BOILED. Like another commenter posted, the brisket was a pile of mush. No bark, no marbling.... the turkey was dry. The ribs tasted boiled and tasteless. I commented that I didn't think they used seasoning at all. All of the sides tasted right out of a can. It really saddens me that someone would actually think this is BBQ worth anything. Very disappointing, PNW.
(1)
Steven H.

Very delicious pulled pork sandwich and baked beans for lunch. Bbq sauce was pretty good and service was friendly. Food came out super fast. Melt in your mouth pulled pork, so good!
(4)
Shea N.

I'm on a review binge and just remembered to give Stan's some feedback. This is the place in Issaquah for a great BBQ sandwich. The pulled pork has consistently been tender and flavorful. The potato salad was pretty darn good as well. The staff really makes this place great because they're friendly and fast. You will smell like smoke/BBQ if you're in there for more than 5 minutes.
(4)
Tanton G.

The food at Stan's isn't bad, it's just not very good. I lived most of my life in the South and I have a certain expectation for BBQ and Stan's just isn't it. If that were it, I'd probably give them three stars. However, the last time I went there, I found a chicken feather in a number of the hot wings. It's not the end of the world and I let the waitress know and sent them back. However, instead of handling it properly, they informed us that they would make them 1/2 price because we had eaten 1/2. Wow. Talk about poor customer service. They lost far more money from me not going back than they saved from not taking off the other 1/2 (or don't take off anything, I certainly didn't ask them to). Because of that, I'm lowering my review to 2 stars. Again, if you are stuck in Issaquah and need BBQ, this place isn't bad, but there's much better to be had.
(2)
Ryan B.

Brisket and pulled pork are good but chicken very dry. Like I said its good but I feel it's not worth the price you pay. People may say best bbq in Issaquah but that's by default seeing how there are no other real bbq places.
(2)
Chris H.

Came in on Sunday night and the place was packed. Pretty darn good. Had the half rack of ribs and they were very meaty. Potato salad was very good. The spicy barbecue sauce was excellent. Really enjoyed the bar atmosphere, and the waitress was very good.
(4)
Mark W.

Stan's the MAN! We've been here many, many times and it's always awesome. Tried almost everything on the menu and love it all. I like a place that can put a little humor on their menu. "Creamed corn so good you won't know whether to eat it or rub it on your thighs" I got some to go so I could take it home and do just that, it was amazing. But seriously, great BBQ, friendly service, nice clean atmosphere and a always mouth watering smell of the smokers smoking. As an added bonus for me at least, it can be super quick. Often I'm running errands and want a quick but good lunch, I'm in and out in next to nothing. I think they only have them on the weekends, but go and get the smoked meatballs, yum!
(5)
Amanda C.

Good food and great atmosphere. Not too expensive as far as BBQ goes. Service was great.
(4)
gina m.

Visited Stan's on a Sunday afternoon. It seems like more of a bar than a restaurant. My pulled pork sandwich was very dry and the potato salad was just meh. The place is very smokey smelling inside and when you leave you will smell this way for the rest of the day.
(2)
Larena H.

Disclaimer: I'm a Texan with discerning taste in barbecue. Much like every other barbecue joint in the Seattle area, the food was ... mediocre at best. We ordered the "Who's your daddy" plate and split it. ribs: way too salty. sausage: practically inedible. pulled pork: practically no flavor. brisket: decent, at best. It was the only meat that had any flavor to it. I appreciated the char on the outer edges. beans: decent, standard stuff. potato salad: decent, standard stuff. the sauce: decent, standard stuff. The smokers in the kitchen area are the vertical-rack smokers. I'm sure there are regulations that prevent them from having any other type of smoker in that kitchen area, but it's a sub-par smoking method. There was only a very, very thin smoke ring on the brisket and pulled pork. Service was very friendly, and the photos throughout the place had a very warm, Southern appeal to them. To the people who say the brisket was as good as the stuff you've had at Salt Lick BBQ in Texas: STOP LYING! Look, I used to live 15 minutes from that place, and shame on you for LYING and misleading these poor unsuspecting folks who just want to find some damn good barbecue in the Pacific Northwest. You jerks. You need to go back to Salt Lick and try it again because obviously it's been way too long since you've had Salt Lick! No. Just... no. I can't highly recommend it. Sorry.
(2)
Bronwyn C.

My husband. And I love BBQ so when we did a yelp search for something to eat on our way home from the SEAHAWKS game. Basically the meat was awesome. The side he and I ordered was coleslaw and our young adult kids got the baked beans. They said the beans were ok. Now, I love coleslaw but I was not impressed with theirs at all. It tastes old and had an odd flavor. I was hoping to see cornbread on the menu and was disappointed...my advice is to take the meat to go and skip the rest...
(3)
Anita S.

First the positives- I really liked the sides. The creamed corn was good and the baked beans were so smoky and tasty! Everything else was just okay. Good cuts of meat, but almost completely flavorless. I assumed they use a dry rub for their meat but it didn't even taste like it was salted. We ordered the hot bbq sauce, and it was disappointingly mild; my three year old could eat it with no problem. They have us the wrong kind of bread as well. That being said, the service was great- everyone was extremely friendly and prices are fine. I don't think I would go back for mediocre food though.
(2)
Tell E.

Meh - quality wasn't there and way OVERPRICED. The pulled pork tasted like day old left overs out of a can. The meat looked like regurgitated mush as opposed to what you expect pulled pork to look like. The reason it looked like this is because it wasn't fresh but instead reheated from what was prepared a few days ago. Boo. This place use to be soooo much better. The servers don't help either. They have attitude that makes a lot of patrons feel they are an inconvenience. Combination of so-so food with questionable quality AND poor service - not sure why anyone returns. Glutins for punishment I guess. The final nail in the coffin is the prices. This is BBQ here folks not a fine dining restaurant. So why am I paying $25 for a who's yer Daddy plate plus drink and a tip?
(2)
Josh G.

Stan's did a great job catering our party. Food was excellent, customer service was great, and it was effortless for us. They brought plenty of food for the number of guests and it was pretty affordable for a full meal with sides.
(4)
Ben W.

Food: BBQ Staff: Extremely Friendly. Sat down at the table and explained the menu to us Atmosphere: Seems like a bar Parking: Street Parking I was in town for work and ordered the sampler plate per the servers recommendation. I should have known something was off when there wasn't any sauce at the table. The give you the sauce in little cups. You can ask for more though, but I wouldn't recommend it. All the sauces tasted pretty much the same and they didn't taste good at all. As far as the meat goes, there wasn't any smoke flavor to be found anywhere. Additionally the brisket was extremely fatty (which tells me it wasn't smoked long enough). Overall I was extremely disappointed. Favorite Dish: - None.
(1)
Danielle G.

I liked it, but I wouldn't say its the best I've had. The prices seemed pretty decent for the amount of food you got and service was good as well. I used a restaurant.com certificate here and it ended up paying for a good portion of the check, which was also excellent. I'll probably come back and try something different on the menu.
(3)
Ed B.

A few months back, my wife and I decided to go out to eat dinner and cruised by our favorite spot, the Gaslamp Tavern. It was packed from front to back. We opened the door, looked in and turn around. Very rare for us. Feeling a bit dejected but not willing to give up the hunt for good food that somebody else has had to cook , I headed for downtown Issaquah and cruised down Front Street. On a whim, I parked on the street and ignoring all questions from the missus, I headed into Stan's and sat at the bar. We were immediately met with a friendly face behind the bar, that happened to be attached to a very attentive server. I don't recall her name, but she's a regular feature at Stan's and hasn't let us down yet. Right, I'm getting ahead of myself. So anyways, we ordered some drafts and set to perusing the menu. We couldn't agree on a single menu item to order and split, so my wife ordered a pulled pork sandwich (they have particular names for all these items that, for the life of me, I cannot remember but that are only relevant to the servers, it seems) and I ordered a brisket sandwich. We were informed that our food would be "right out." I'm always suspect of this declaration and as I get older, I find myself becoming jaded about it. I should have taken my suspicions and put them in my pocket because the food arrived not three minutes later. I was aghast, but tempered my shock with the realization that, of course, all the meat was ready to go and only needed assembly into whatever combination of bread and sides the order called for. Now before I describe the actual food, let me explain that I'm from Texas. I come from a long line of men who do interesting things with disparate types of wood, charcoal and meat. I'm no journeyman to grilling and smoking meat myself and know what quality is versus the mass produced pablum that passes for good BBQ. I've been all over and had all kinds of BBQ. Stan's is good BBQ. Not fantastic, but very good. My brisket sandwich was literally a half pound of meat or better. It was moist, tender, and properly smokey: not overmuch as to destroy the flavor of the meat, but present enough to remind you it wasn't boiled or baked, but smoked. I tried a taste of the pulled pork my wife ordered and it was damn good. If you like BBQ, this is about as good as you're liable to find outside of Texas or Missouri (Stan's originates from Kansas City and damn sure tastes like it). I love hot food, (Dave's Insanity Ghost Pepper sauce - 1 tsp in my hot wings sauce toss recipe... liquid fire) but I absolutely cannot abide their hot BBQ sauce. Why? Liquid Smoke. It's present in all their sauces, but only in their sweet sauce is it dialed down to a degree where instant heartburn isn't a guarantee. I've since returned about four or five times and am always met with amazing service, great smoked meats no matter what I order, fast delivery and very affordable prices, both for food and beverage. For your money, you'd be hard-pressed to do better.
(4)
Terri A.

Best BBQ I've ever had! My husband had short ribs and my daughter and I had a sandwhich with brisket and pulled pork. The dry rub was so good, we didn't even use the sauce brought on the side. Very relaxed atmosphere. Stan, the owner, chatted with us. Our waitress was on top of things. This is not a "fine dining" experience but definitely is a fine place to have a feast! We'll be back again and again. To finish, I'll say the bbq was fresh! My biggest fear when eating bbq is that it will be old, which is immediately obvious - not the case here. We enjoyed every bite from start to finish.
(5)
Christina G.

Shiner Bock on TAP?!!!! WHAT?!? Love at first site... Brings me back to my college days in Texas. For the most part, their BBQ is really good. I have been once where the ribs seemed a little dry, but that was just once. I love their smoked turkey, and I don't feel too guilty after eating it. You get to pick a side, choices are limited to potato salad, chips, cole slaw, beans or cream corn. Stan's creamed corn is where it's at! I thought I hated creamed corn - turns out I hate cream corn from everywhere except here. It not mushy, just super buttery, kinda peppery (spicy) and delightful! Good place to hang out, watch a game, and drink a cold beer.
(4)
Angie J.

I'm not a big bbq fan but Stan's is growing on me. It's fresh and not too dry. I can't speak for the sauce bc I don't eat sauce but my dining companions like it.
(4)
Dee W.

We were driving through and we found Stan's through Yelp. It was clean, inviting, and delicious. We sat at the bar during lunch and we were FAMISHED. We ordered the "Who's Your Daddy?" plate that had pulled pork, brisket, pork ribs and hot links. We got sides of cole slaw and potato salad. The waitress brought us all three types of BBQ sauce. We both agreed the medium was the best. The brisket was excellent! Very moist and tasty. We were both so full, we had a good amount of leftovers that I ate the next day. I was also served a very delicious bloody mary with that delicious bacon salt on the rim! If we're ever in the neighborhood again we'll certainly stop by!
(4)
Lesley F.

Stan's BBQ! I can't explain how I feel about this place! It's just marvelous! My experience here was unforgettable. The place is clean and well furnished. The service was prompt and they were very helpful. The BBQ was the best BBQ I have ever tasted! It has a unique flavor that made me want more! Every bite is just so heavenly. The meat is so tender and juicy! Just perfect! I will definitely come back here with some of my friends!
(5)
Drew R.

The Bomb. Great BBQ and the greatest Bloody Mary's in town, NO LIE. Hint: order the pulled pork on its own, don't order the sandwich. It's cheaper than the sandwich, you get more meat plus they give you bread on the side to make a sandwich. Genius, I know....
(5)
Erica Z.

Good prices, decent food, nice bar, but not to my tastes. Be warned: the food is a little spicy here. If you like spicy food that's a good thing, but if you're like me and feel like your tongue is falling off just because you put some pepper on your burger then it's something to be wary of. Their portions are HUGE. Good place to hang out and wind down. Everyone in my group was satisfied, so I'll definitely say this place was A-OK!
(3)
Juli G.

Good KC-style BBQ. Chili is top notch, as is the creamed corn. potato salad was a little meh, but the sandwiches were very very good. The turkey was tender, moist, and flavored beautifully. The pork was delectable and the sauce was nicely balanced. :)Good stuff!
(4)
Elisha M.

We heard such great things about this place and its yelp rating is pretty high. We moved here from the South, where my husband was born and raised. He was missing his home BBQ, so we thought we would give this place a try. We went for lunch during the week, there were 2 other parties there, so not busy at all. The server acted like she was mad that we showed up. I wasn't very hungry so I had the cup of chili, which was like 1/4 cup of chili in the smallest bowl ever. I am not sure you could even call it a bowl or a cup. Yuck! So, that is what I get for ordering chili at a BBQ joint! However, my husband had the ribs and pulled pork and left half of it on the plate. My husband never leaves food behind! So, if this is the best BBQ around, then my husband needs to open up a restaurant, because his cooking puts this place to shame!
(2)
Rene B.

I ate here for the first time on 21 August. The first impressions are: when I walked in the door, I smelt the wonderful smoked barbecue smell. Second, Stan's has a nice atmosphere. Part of the place is a bar. It has a sports-bar feel to the environment. The waitress and the ordering and delivery of food process was efficient. I had the brisket, which had been slow cooked so long that it practically fell apart on the fork. It was delicious, though not the best I've had. Prices were reasonable. Quality was high. A great no-nonsense barbecue place I'll likely visit again.
(4)
Julia Z.

I agree with Sam H. about Stan's and also prefer NC-style thin vinegary sauces (and on pork, big surprise). There's nothing like a good pig pickin'! The owners of Stan's are staunch Democrats and really nice people, very committed to the Issaquah community and that makes me like them and I do eat there once in a while. The BBQ chicken is the best thing there for me. I ask them to go easy on the sauce. I don't like their corn at all... it tastes weird to me. The restaurant is clean and so are the restrooms. I've found that if they have something completely obnoxious on the TV, if there's not too many people there who are watching it, they are completely good-natured about changing the channel, so speak up. :-) Stan's fries are good but not incredible. The baked beans are the best side, for my money. I wish they offered any form of sweet potatoes or Brunswick stew (though the stew probably is an NC-only thing and therefore not authentic... they wouldn't make it right anyway because real stew is made with squirrel... even most good BBQ places in NC sub in chicken).
(3)
L G.

Big fan of the pulled pork with brisket, I would stay away from the ribs. Supposedly KC style, but I was a bit disappointed. Remember, I've had Dreamland and Willards, so the ribs were OK.
(4)
Brett A.

Service was very good. Fast and friendly. Having lived in KC for awhile, I have to say the BBQ was not quite KC quality. Good for Seattle but they wouldn't be in business in KC. I miss Hayward's and Arther Bryant's.
(3)
Bob G.

Came here today with my son - wanted BBQ and had planned on Rowdy Cowgirl or whatever it is called now, but we had to go to Maple Valley and Kent to pick up Wheat/Gluten Free items for Pizza Works. I am up in the air about stars. We got the "Here's your daddy" sampler with a bit of everything. For 23.95, the waitress said it would be enough for 2 - well she lied! We had enough to doggie bag and take home for my wife. And that was not because it was bad or anything. We both got FULL! The baby back ribs were like a 6 out of 5 - delish! I am reappraising the brisket and pulled pork. I don't know if it was the wonderful smoke smell inside or what, but the flavors were more prominent out of the doggie bag. The brisket - great - not as good as the ribs and it was the first time I have had brisket. The hot links, I agree that they were NOT that hot, but they were tasty. The pulled pork was excellent, a very nice smoky, seasoned flavor. I liked the sauce on the side. Like several others, the hot mixed with the sweet is a good combo. They offer Hot, Mild and Sweet BBQ sauce. The waitress siad the hot wasn't that hot and she was right. That would have been a mild at Pecos Pit or Jones. We had a side of baked beans and potato salad. Both were tasty. I liked the potato salad and the beans, they were some of the best baked beans I can recall. So far 5 stars but . . .But what is with the WHITE Bread? Not a bun, not a roll, not wheat, not special - 4 slices of the whitest, white bread you could find. A Pulled Pork sandwich on WHITE bread, WTF?? OK, It might be traditional in NC or somewhere, but give me something with real grain in it. They definitely lost stars for that. 2 servings of white bread - minus 1 star. If you order a sandwich, you get a choice of a bun or white bread, but no choice here. But guys, have a clue. . . . .find an alternative for that white bread! At least ask with the "Here's Your Daddy" or the Rack of Ribs.
(4)
Alan C.

Authentic smoker prepared barbeque and killer coleslaw or beans. It would be a 5 except parking can be sketchy.
(4)
Jordan C.

First time I walked in, I got excited. The smells were just right, the atmosphere was a little too neat, but still BBQ appropriate. The menu items even lead me to believe I finally found a true BBQ place in the Seattle area. But I was quite disappointed. I've been a couple times to try the items, but nothing impressed. The pulled pork had no smoke rings (and thus no smoke flavor) and the ribs seemed to be overcooked. Even the sausage links seemed mediocre at best. And to top it all off, the sides tasted like something you'd get at a grocery store deli counter. Stan's looks great, but doesn't deliver. It's yet another place that believes BBQ involves just smothering sauce on your meat when it should be about the whole BBQ process from the rub to smoking and all they way to your plate.
(2)
Elaine S.

Stan's is a smokey delight in a town of few and far between good eats. The pulled pork sandwich is the stuff dreams are made of. Simple, smokey, and stacked high. My only complaints are that I could use a smidge more sauce, and I smell like BBQ all day after I eat here.
(4)
Jackie B.

I do not understand how this place has gotten so many good reviews. To start, we live in this town and had walked by this place a hundred times and finally took a look at the menu on the front door, liked what we read, and went in. The atmosphere is charming and has a nice "western" feel to it. I immediately felt comfortable there. But that's where the good experience ended. The food we received was very substandard BBQ fare. A very thick "smoke flavoring" had been added to the meat and didn't taste the least bit authentic to me. We aren't even from the south, so we wouldn't know "good BBQ" if it hit us in the face. But this wasn't it. Secondly, when the bill came, we were surprised at the total amount. We inquired to our server, and asked why she charged us $4 more per plate than what the menu said. She showed us the menu. She was right. It was $4 more. We got up and looked at the menu on the door; it was less. We explained to her that the price on the door was what had attracted us to the place. (Plus, at that point, we didn't want to pay extra for substandard food!) She went and got the owner (Stan?) and he came to the table asking us what the problem was. I told him that the price on the menu outside was totally different from the price on the menu INSIDE, and that we'd come for lunch because of the outside price. He stood there, arms crossed, looking at us with a cocky smirk and said "So, what do you want me to do about it?" Yes! That's what he said. He made us feel like idiots for "complaining". My partner said "We'd like the price on the menu advertised on the door, please". The owner rolled his eyes and walked away and rang up the adjusted amount. While we were still sitting there, the waitress ripped the menu from the door, further guilting us for daring to read it and requesting he honor those prices. This happened three years ago, and we've honestly not forgotten how we were treated there. I drove by there (as I do every day) and thought "I bet the good folks on Yelp would like to know this story". I normally don't like to bash people, but treating us rudely for daring to ask for the ADVERTISED price has made us never step foot in there again, not even for a drink. If their food had been delicious, I would not have given them one star, but the substandard fare just added to our bad experience.
(1)
Alecia R.

The service was so-so, we didn't get much attention considering how few diners there were in the middle of the week during the day. But the smoked ham steaks were to die for- I mean really, it's been a looooong time since I had smoked ham this good!! The sides were great, but honestly? All I can remember is the ham... Mmmmm.... My dining partners loved the ribs and the brisket too, and their tangy sauce was awesome. But seriously? The ham.... ;) The interior was fun and eclectic, with a very casual, comfortable feel.
(4)
J M.

Oh Stan. I love you man. Okay, so I'm not exactly sure what relationship "Stan" has to this place, if any, but they make a mean pulled-pork sandwich here, and the beef brisket is even better. Rich, smoky meat with your choice of sweet, mild or spicy sauce, as little or as much as you want (I go with sweet). Decent sides, great beers on tap, and now they've gone all fancy and added some salads to the menu too. Two other things that always make me oddly happy: their fountain cokes are always great (I consider myself a fountain coke connoisseur), and for some reason the Lays Potato Chips taste about 100 times better than the ones you get from the grocery store. I have no idea why that is, but I don't care because they're crispy potato perfection. Great place to bring kids as well.
(4)
Otis D.

Really, people think this place is great?!? (Picture an utter look of befuddlement on my face...) You know how you sometimes pick up sushi at PCC or get stuck in one of those conveyor belt places? For the next few days you find yourself craving really GOOD sushi to erase the memory of the mediocre meal you just had? That's how I feel about Stan's. You order and it hits your table so freakin' fast that it HAS to be sitting in a steam tray somewhere. The "Hot Links" aren't. And all of it is adequate and filling but leaves me wanting something better. (Or seriously wishing I had a business trip to Kansas City, Memphis, Houston or somewhere I can get the real deal.) Is it the best pulled pork Sandwich in Issaquah? Absolutely. Maybe I'm being overly harsh since no matter how many times Stan's leaves me wanting more, I still go back. But I can't for the life of me imagine rating it 5 stars.
(3)
John W.

I'm from Louisiana so my BBQ expectations are high. I thought Stan's BBQ was pretty darn good. I'd definitely eat there again for the food. The servers were in a funk. I'll give those girls the benefit of the doubt and say that someone was having a miserable day. It made the atmosphere unpleasant. I'm not assuming that's the norm.
(3)
Nestor P.

"The place" in Issaquah. Coming from Texas, Stan's BBQ was the best option to get BBQ here in the pacific northwest. Not only the food but the service, nice environment specially Fridays and Saturdays with a live band . Highly recommended!
(5)
Nathan K.

Yeah....it was ok. The gf and I stopped in here a few days back after hearing about it in Seattle magazine and I left feeling slightly disappointed. Both of us tried the baby back ribs and they weren't all that impressive. Sure it's OK to eat without sauce, but in this case I'd much rather have it, except the sauce that came with it was pretty bad. Basically glorified spicy ketchup. No thanks. The meat was pretty tender and falling off the bone, which was nice but the flavors just weren't there. On a positive note, however, I did enjoy our sides (baked beans and potato salad) and the service was great and attentitive for sitting in a corner out of sight. However even with that I can't say I'd ever really want to go back...
(3)
Beudreaux D.

Good for the Pacific NW, not that special for the BBQ purist. The service was great. Very attentive, friendly and swift. The sauces are good, the hot is tolerable for most anyone. Portions are good enough but not Midwest in size. The sides were diappointing. The creamed corn was the best, but not really creamed corn the way I know it, but I liked it they do it, just good sweet corn. The beans were soupy and not good BBQ beans. The coleslaw looked and tasted like it had been sitting too long. Nice bar. OK beer choices but not extensive. I liked the ambiance, it is a comfortable place to sit and eat. Several TVs to fixate on. I would eat there again but not go out of my way for it. They take American Express.
(3)
Brenda L.

Visiting from Canada and found it on Yelp; I cook a pulled pork but theirs is SO much better. Kids are most welcomed.
(5)
Becky G.

I must say, I'm not a fan of bbq, but Stan's is magical! I always enjoy a meal and have even stopped by for drinks. If you like bbq and you are in Issaquah this is the place to be. Make sure to head to the bathroom and check out the old-school photos of downtown Seattle. Really makes you appreicate how things are now, not to mention the delicious bbq. Another great thing is that each day has it's own special, whether it is a drink or food special. Love, love this place. Soon I will take all my friends there.
(5)
Jeff C.

I know BBQ but being a Seattlite I'm no expert. We gorged. Pulled pork - 4.5. Baby back ribs fall off the bone but meat a little mushy. (If using Texas Crutch they should reduce time in the foil.) 4. Brisket was on the dry side unless you either bathed it sauce or got a fatty piece. 3.75. Smoked chicken wings 4.5. Slaw 4. Creamed corn 4.5. Beans 5. Love the onion in the beans. Sauce - we had "hot" which to me was medium-hot (in between Pecos Pit medium and hot) 4.5. Staff 4.5. Bartender felt like my Mom was serving me (good & bad) served us second round without asking (good & bad). The great atmosphere & Full bar are really what makes this place as most BBQ joints I've been to don't have full bar and/or are more hole-in-the-wall establishments. My only other over comment is, not that it didn't taste good, but the level of smoke taste (and it looked like a little soot) in their food is the highest I've seen so if you like the food REALLY smokey, you'll love this place. Food a solid 4 with exception of dry briskette and ribs a little on the mushy side. Atmosphere/Service 4.5. I wish Pecos Pit in Seattle expanded their menu a little and opened up a place with a bar so we could have the equivalent of Stans on the West Side (even though I live in Issaquah - I give Pecos Pit the edge as far as best BBQ in Seattle but I haven't tried the place in the gas station just East of North Bend yet.)
(4)
mandy m.

i would drive to issaquah for stan's, and thats saying a lot bc dont even like to drive to target- and i LOVE target. the pulled pork was flavorful. the brisket fell apart. i tried the hot links and ribs- neither are really my thing but they were tasty nonetheless. the three sauces were good- my favorite was the sweet sauce- the other two remind me of taco bell hot sauce for some reason (this is a good thing btw). and the sweet tea was a perfect touch to wash it all down. we split a meal and had leftovers for lunch... well, one of us did. i would go back in a heartbeat.
(5)
Manuel W.

Brisket is good. Good flavor depth...it's smoky, beefy, seasoned, all in one. A bit dry but the ribbons of fat running through it and some BBQ sauce fixed that.
(4)
ChefRD M.

It was just ok. Coleslaw was so so and potato chips in a bag were served not fries or onion rings. Expensive for what we had. The sandwiches were moist and tender. BBQ sauce was ok. Although we will probably not return, don't be afraid to try.
(3)
Howard M.

While out on Saturday with the family, we could not decide between BBQ/Mexican/Italian. Problem was that we were in Issaquah and had few choices. Decided to go back to one of my favorites in the area, Stan's against my wife's better judgement. I like BBQ, almost any BBQ. I even used to like Stan's to the point I would get it after having dental work and try to eat the Brisket and Ribs before all the meds wore off. Anyway, we brave the pouring rain and head to Stan's. We were in the no-man's land of dining time at around 3:45 or so. Atmosphere was great, TVs with games on, our server was very friendly and accomodating. My wife ordered the chicken and ribs (Fullback), our son had the pulled pork sandwhich, and I was convinced to have big combo (forgot the name) which came with a little bit of everything. The Seeet Tea was great, but that was about it. Our son's pp sand was very dry. My wife's chicken and ribs had no flavor, and in her words, "a disgusting look to them". $17 for flavorless ribs and chicken with what I noticed was no or very little rub or seasoning. My platter came out and there was a lot of food for the money $23.95, but each product had some serious flaws. The brisket was overcooked and cut with the grain (which you don't do with brisket), the pulled pork was dry and almost room temperature, the ribs had no flavor, and the links (bratwurst) had very little flavor and were cold. I'm no expert on food, but I have a pretty good idea on BBQ and this was not good. I started going to Stan's right after he opened up and thought his BBQ was very authentic to typical KC BBQ. With a picture of the man from KC, "Arthur Bryant" on the wall at Stan's you would conclude some sort of high standard but that's not the case. I seriously think Stan should evaluate what kind of food he is serving, the quality of the food, and his server's knowledge of the product. Our server was great but I heard another one say she was not sure what kind of meat the ribs where. Huh?
(2)
Karen Q.

My sister and her husband had been raving about this place, so we finally made a date to go eat here. It's as delicious as they said it was! We had the pulled pork (my fav), ribs (pretty tasty) & hot links (I didn't care so much for this). They have a few options for dipping sauces which is nice so that everyone can have their own. I tried the sweet sauce which was tasty. We also got cole slaw and creamed corn for our sides. I LOVED the creamed corn. (I'm drooling just thinking about it!) I will definitely come back!
(4)
Garner M.

Not bad, not great. Pulled pork was good and tender, the ribs were just so-so. I would have liked cornbread with my dinner, but they only offered white bread (must be a Kansas City thing?), unfortunately. No Mac & Cheese either, except on the kids menu. I also like plenty of BBQ sauce, and there were only a couple of little cups of it. I'll definitely ask for extra next time. The baked beans were the real highlight; they were very good! Tough to find a place to park to pick up my carry-out order on a busy evening. Will probably return, but will likely try out the other options in town before I do.
(3)
Michael P.

Service is ok, food is ok to good. Dry barbeque, if you like that.
(3)
Gregory M.

My wife and I love this place, and go there often for lunch. The BBQ is really fantastic. Unless you get uppity about Texas vs Kansas vs Carolina, etc. but if you're like that you probably make your own or already have your favorite place. But it's true KC style, it's well smoked and not over done, and really fantastic. It's hard not to get the pulled pork, but the brisket is fantastic as well. The only reason why I din't give the place 5 starts is because of Price and Sides. It is rather expensive - though to be honest you ARE getting what you pay for (i.e. good, quality BBQ). But it affects budget considerations, for sure. Also the sides (again, expensive for what you get) are rather mediocre. The chili is a bit bland and watery (but you certainly don't go there for the Chili [and you shouldn't either]). The coleslaw is just okay, as is the creamed corn (not hardly creamed at all - more like watery-corn). Not horrible really, but both my wife and I were disappointed by the sides. That being the case, the price and sides aren't enough to keep us away or make the review lower, because this is a BBQ joint, and the BBQ is hands down FAN-tastic.
(4)
David S.

Was good, but not great. We had read that it was voted the best bbq in the state, but I am going to keep searching. Wasn't a big fan of the paper plate style and the food was good, but I was hoping for more. Brisket was probably the best part of the combo plate, but everything needed extra bbq sauce, which seemed to be in short supply. I would probably give it another try, but I wasn't overwhelmed.
(3)
Leland C.

This was not anywhere close to the best BBQ. I had the "General" and the meat was not too bad, but not world class. The BBQ beans were way too smokey in flavor and I could not finish them. I was not impressed with what should have been a simple fresh meal. I will have to say that the locals probably love it since they seem to have a fun bar.
(2)
Rachel O.

Great service and amazing food.
(5)
Josh C.

Occasionally visit Stands during the week for lunch. Can't go wrong with the brisket sandwich. Cream corn is a great side! Staff is extremely friendly!
(5)
James T.

This is one of my favorite places to go, we probably eat here once or twice a month. We get the big combo plate and can share it with the four of us, two adults two kids. My favorite is the cowboy sandwich. The pulled pork is so flavorful it is really a shame to put any sauce on it. Also love the many large flat screens. Stan always has multiple games showing. Overall a great food and great atmosphere.
(4)
Shon R.

Stan's is hands down the best BBQ in Seattle! I grew up in the South and went to school in the KC area so I've been treated to some of the best BBQ in the country. Needless to say, I've been pretty letdown by every place I have tried here in Seattle. Until I happened along this little place in Issaquah. Stan's bbq is KC style, but I think bbq lovers from anywhere would enjoy it. Why? Because Stan's knows how to prepare the meat. Time and again I have been asked what is wrong with the bbq from some place one of my Seattle friends have recommended and have had a hard time putting my finger on it. One bite of Stan's and it all comes back to me. When bbq is done right, you don't even need bbq sauce. That's what you get at Stan's. My ribs were excellent. Not the tough stuff that you get from other places in the area. No, the meat just falls off the bone the way it is supposed to. The beans were good and I have also now tried their brisket. Everything here has been excellent and the sweet bbq sauce tops off the meat quite nicely. Basically, if you like KC style bbq, you should head over to Stan's immediately. Even if you prefer bbq from a different region, you're not gonna find better bbq in Seattle than from here. As for negative reviews, I'll just say I find their stories hard to believe. The service and food here has always been great and it's pretty much the only place me and my Kansas City and Texas BBQ fans eat at. Needless to say - highly recommended.
(5)
Greg G.

It's a pretty decent BBQ option for being in the Northwest and on the Eastside. It's been hit and miss depending on what I ordered. Normally the brisket is amazing and melts in your mouth...unfortunately when I went Saturday night it was very dry and needed a lot of sauce. But based on the law of averages, I would order the brisket or the pulled pork. The sandwiches are a decent value and come with a side.
(4)
Manda S.

I grew up in Kansas, so my expectations may be a litle high when it comes to barbecue, but this place definitely did not impress. The barbecued chicken was somehow mushy, and the skin was not crisp. The barbecue sauce was edible (but not worth eating) and everything else was just so-so. Not planning on trying again.
(2)
Annie F.

last year my husband's younger son took us there for my husband's birthday. i LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this place. the food is AWESOME. even though we live far away from it -- we live in the lake stevens area -- i would go back there in a heartbeat if someone suggested stan's bbq for lunch. Love Love Love stan's bbq.
(5)
Reed D.

Great food and a really a cool atmosphere. Gorgeous big bar with tons off st louis sports memorabilia. Brisket wasnt the best but pulled pork was great. Friendly staff and lots of food. Will go back for sure.
(4)
Annie D.

We are still on the search for the best BBQ in the area. So far, Stan's is the best we've tried, but we're not settling! (We are from Florida & are used to Southern BBQ.) Both of us got the babyback ribs. Seems hard to do them right in this town, but Stan's pretty much nails it. We love hickory smoked ribs! Contrary to what another reviewer said, we LOVE the smell of the place when we walk in. Mmm! If I want a clean-smelling, sparkling BBQ place, I'll go to Tony Romas (which is why I don't go there). Barbecue is messy by nature, and there's a roll of paper towels to keep you clean as needed. I wouldn't recommend coming here if you're trying to impress your first date, unless you both agree that getting messy is part of the fun - including picking meat out of your teeth (in the bathroom, of course, like all proper Southern Belles would do! ;) Oh, back to the cleanliness - the bathrooms (2, unisex) are VERY clean here. A definite plus for those of us with potty-training kids. PS reading that the owners are Democrats makes me even happier that we love this place! ;)
(4)
Zack B.

The turkey was really good. The brisket has a very bland taste to it. Not to mention the waitress was rude and short. Would come back again for the turkey. The three pigs in Bellevue is much better for sure.
(3)
Crysta L.

Great, friendly staff and fast meals! I ordered the pulled pork sandwich with sweet BBQ sauce. For my side creamed corn and coleslaw. My sandwich was HUGE. Try the pulled pork with your coleslaw as your lettuce -- soooo good! My boyfriend got the beef brisket sandwich and a hot link with potato salad. Great food! We were both very full! We've been back a couple more times -- the baked beans are great and the ribs are great, also!
(5)
Bill F.

Ribs were good and didn't fall off the bone, just as you'd expect from competition ribs, but the chicken was on the dry side. The sauce was little more than ketchup, cumin, and red chili powder.
(3)
Vanetta W.

Umm, what the heck is going on with reviewers, have they never had good bbq? Sooo disappointed in this place. Dry pulled pork, dry ribs, and sauce that lacked flavor aside from a spicy kick. Better off driving to Seattle for some of the other establishments, like Jones off of rainier.
(1)
Ellen T.

Horrible Staff. Flat out rude. I will never go back. Food is nothing special either.
(1)
Clayton K.

The BBQ here is very good! The meat alone has some of the best flavor that I have ever had. The only reason it isn't 5 stars is because I wasn't a huge fan of their BBQ sauce. I am more partial to Texas style BBQ sauce which is thick and has a touch of sweetness but Stan's is a Kansas City style sauce which is much more vinegar based. It wasn't awful and the meat was so good it almost made up for it but the sauce can definitely make or break a good BBQ joint. I'd definitely come back but might sneak some of my own sauce in next time...
(4)
Christopher D.

Great place - hey this is Issaquah not a place know for BBQ. However for the Pacific Northwest you will be hard to find a better place for BBQ.
(4)
Claire S.

OMG, I love this place! It seemed too good to be true: BBQ in Issaquah, in a place run by a Kansas City native. But it is real, and it is damn good. I have been to Stan's BBQ an embarrassing number of times, mainly because I think it is the best place to eat in Issaquah and therefore can't really justify going elsewhere. It is also authentic BBQ, with sauce and bread on the side, and a roll of paper towels on the table. I always get the pulled pork and the sweet sauce. I have heard -people complain that they don't get enough sauce, but the servers will bring you extra if you ask for it. My only real complaint is that the side dishes are too small. I've had the potato salad and the creamed corn and while I liked them both, there just isn't enough to balance out the BBQ. Other than that, this place is just about perfect.
(5)
Sara M.

We rolled into Stans looking for a house. Not a huge fan of BBQ I am now HOOKED! Every time someone comes in from outside we bring them there and then stuff ourselves silly. You can share plates since the portions are huge and the corn is a little spicy but I roll myself out of there every time!
(5)
Winnie L.

There are HH specials everyday. The restuarant is clean and price is ok. BBQ chicken was juicy & brisket was tender. Beer selection was so-so. I was not impressed with Kansas style bbq sauce & food presentation though. The order came with a pc of plain bread (similar to those 99cents per loaf in supermarket). Each dish came with bbq sauce in a 2oz container. I needed to ask for extra. Cole Slaw & potato salad were ok. I highly not recommended baked beans. If you like baked beans, you may like them in can than here. Side dish is served in a foam container, too ;o( Parking is not easy after 5pm neither although there are public parking around. I would like to give it 2.5 star instead of 3.
(3)
Susan H.

You MUST try the creamed corn and brisket!! Sauce isn't the greatest (it's decent though) but the meat is awesome. For $21 the "Who's your Daddy" sampler (comes with 2 large sides) will feed our whole family of 4 with leftovers.
(5)
Dave K.

Maybe it was the day, perhaps the time; but, Stan's is no BBQ pit. This place has some good reviews: leveling against a local BBQ benchmark it may rank high. Against any common BBQ east of a general St. Louis-Texas line and Stan's won't even make it onto the BBQ page. I think ii's supposed to be KC style, but this is definitely PacNorWest BBQ - Dry, Bland and probably even liquid-smoke. Even the chili was hamburger and beans in a watery tomato soup. Teabag steeped iced tea - OK to serve to drop-in friends but don't sell it to customers. The briskit was, well, BLAND. The BBQ sauce is supposed to complement and accentuate the flavor in the meat. The sauce should not be the only flavor. Tater-salad was most likely from COSTCO. The portions served for the price were small, and for a country boy like me, just plain-old small period. Lunch for two: 1 cup of chili, two sandwiches, one water and one iced tea = $30. The place was clean, atmosphere faux-rustic, the booth was comfortable and the service was friendly. I wasn't totally turned off, but I was far from impressed. For people in Birkenstocks, this is probably great BBQ; for those of us in boots - keep lookin'. We were looking to try a new place and eat something off the "norm." I'm glad we dropped in. I just didn't find the meal that will bring me back fer a 2nd helpin'.
(2)
Doug V.

Stans is good BBQ. The hot links are hot and baby back ribs are tender and juicy. Potato salad and coleslaw are just enough to put out the fire from their spicy sauce. My only gripe...I smelled like a smoke house for the rest of the day.
(4)
Yi Q.

I was very surprised that this restaurant has not had a review yet! My coworkers took me to this place and hyping it up quite a bit in the process. We all know what usually happens when your friends hype up a movie or a restaurant, it usually doesn't live up to it. However, this place was different. The BBQ was delicious, the service was friendly and fast and above all, the atmosphere was great. Think of this place as more of a sports bar with great BBQ than just a BBQ place. I would recommend splitting the "Who's your daddy" between 2 people, that way you get to try most of their items. Would definitely visit again in the near future.
(5)
D K.

Stan's background was in sales and it shows with his attention to customers and his outgoing staff. His staff is very friend and every customer is welcomed as they walk in the door. Kind of like the staff of cheers yelling "Norm" when you walk into the bar. No grumpy wait staff here. The bar-b-cue is good, but I prefer Texas style so was a bit annoyed when the opening of Stan's seemed to drive the Wildfire of Issaquah out of town. But perhaps the reason Wildfire left is that people prefer St. Louis style barbecue which this is. I later heard Wildfired had other financial issues. What I always order are the Chicken wings because THEY AREN'T FRIED. Great smoked wings with barbecue sauce. The smoked meat is great. A good neighborhood joint and music some days of the week.
(4)
Adam Z.

Great BBQ! From the moment I stepped into Stan's i was in love. You can smell the BBQ from down the street. I admit I only usually go to Stan's on Fridays after work for the $1.25 Miller High Life's but I have been there for lunch a few times too. I recommend the "Who's your Daddy" and share it with a friend or 2 because this is a monstrous plate of BBQ. Comes with 2 links, pulled pork, brisket, a choice of 2 sides and 4 slices of bread.
(4)
Gretchen A.

I love this place! I take several of my friends who do not live in Issaquah here because the food is delicious! The atmosphere is fun and the wait staff is super friendly. The smoked turkey and beef brisket are my favorite. The portions are generous, so come hungry! My Dad could not even finish a half rack of ribs! My only wish is that they had corn on the cob as a side.
(5)
Brock F.

Pretty casual place in old-town Issaquah. Most of the folks around us seemed to be ordering BBQ sandwiches, we weren't there to mess around though and went right for meat. Started off with the XXHot 3 sausage appetizer; good stuff, peppers in the sausage, and the sauce on the side was spicy and good tasting without being salty. We moved on to the 4 rib + brisket deal; I felt the brisket was a bit on the dry side, good flavor but where did the nice fat go? Julie likes things a bit more dry so this is just my personal feeling. Ribs were really good, a bit smoky with the spices permeating down to the bone; don't waste the flavor by adding more sauce, none needed on these ribs!
(4)
Becky W.

I'm from KS originally. Stan's is covered with KC memorabilia so you can assume this is going to be KC BBQ's satellite institute in the NW. Well, I may be a midwestern girl but I rarely eat meat with my hands in public, and even less at home, so I'm not the best judge. I thought it was just fine - really liked the ribs, the pulled pork was good - not mind-blowing 'i'm gonna go home and slap your momma' good - but nothing to complain about either. The sides we selected were both satisfying (creamed corn & potato salad), but I think a few secret ingredients could shake them up a bit to make them unique and more sought after. The best BBQ I've ever had was in Wichita at a small diner where me & pal were always the only white folks in the joint and I loved it, man it was good. I went to school with the family owners and we just loved going there, so I'm not sure if it's nostalgia that made it great or if the food was really that damn good. Back to Stan's...Service was very nice - each customer greeted with an eager "hi! welcome!" only rarely to be returned by a polite customer (come on seattle, lighten up and say 'hey - how are you!'). They card anyone who they think looks under 40 - so if you need an ego-boost, that's one reason to go on its own. Beer selection is status quo, delivery of meals is super fast and the aroma is good enough to draw crowds in from the quaint streets of Issaquah. For an easy-to-please BBQ novice from a big square state in the middle, Stan's is A-OK. I'm open for comparisons.
(3)
Jason A.

I made a point of visiting Stan's on the recommendation of users on citysearch- it was voted 2nd best barbecue, if I recall. Stan's is, from what I understand, actually Kansas City-style barbecue, not Texas-style. This made sense, given the baby back ribs with an excellent dry rub, served with sauce only on the side. I shared some dishes with my dining party, so I got to sample nearly everything. First, the ribs. I got a full slab of baby back ribs, which were stellar- meaty, tender, flavorful and smoky. The sauce provided on the side (I choose sweet; the other two are mild and spicy) was quite good, but not remarkable. I tried the beef brisket. Like good brisket, it was properly smoked, lean, and tender. I'm not as big of a beef fan as I am a pork fan, but this was very good. I had the creamed corn side dish. This was against my better judgment, but it turned out to be worth it. This was not a pasty substance like you'd find in a can, but a pile of massive corn kernels in a slightly spicy cream-based sauce. I was thoroughly impressed. Lastly, I tried the baked beans. These were sweet, smoky, and with just the right amount of meat. The sauce-to-bean ratio was just right; not too soupy but not too dry. I have to say, I was shocked (SHOCKED, I say!) that I could find good barbecue in Issaquah. This place is basically just off I-90 so you should check it out. And if you go, make it a feast- don't just get a sandwich :)
(5)
J S.

We had lunch at Stan's on Friday and were really looking forward to the food. When you arrive it has a wonderful smokey smell and it was full of customers. The waitress was really nice. Great atmosphere. Now to the food. Boring and over done. BUMMER! I am not a fan of lots of bar b que sauce - so when I asked for the half chicken without sauce, it arrived warmed up and old. We had wanted the smoked turkey, but she said they had a busy weekend and they ran out.? The bun that came with the chicken was fresh, but they could turn up the notch a bit and get something from a bakery and leave the costco buns out of it. The potato salad came, (i'm sure) from a vat in the back from Fred Meyer. The place is so cute that they really need to improve on the fresh, custom food. When you smell that smoke you want fresh, hot bar b que - that is not what you get. My husband had the pork sandwich and you expect more meat on the bun - weird. it 's almost like it's a fast food restaurant, pre making the food. They could do so much better.
(2)
Pat W.

I bought a certificate from Restaurant.com year ago for Stan's BBQ and we finally got around to using it. We did one of the sampler platters (they have about 4 different ones to chose from) which was nice to try different meats. I didn't think I'd like the sausage but it was actually my favorite. The other meats we tried were the brisket, pulled pork, ribs and we added 1/2 a chicken. Unfortunately most of the meats were so dry they weren't that good. They served it with 3 choices of BBQ sauce which none of us liked. Maybe it's because it's a different style of sauce & not the kind that we are used to. My daughter liked that the meat was served with white bread because I won't serve that at home, but my husband and I would have preferred another option. The sides (we had baked beans, coleslaw and potato salad were okay but nothing special. We appreciate the Restaurant.com coupon to try the place out but we probably won't return.
(2)
Amanda B.

Soooo good. My favorites are the ribs, pulled pork, and corn. Gotta love a place that has ice cream sandwiches for dessert!
(5)
James J.

Tasty, smoky meats, good sides, I always enjoy my meals here and look forward to returning.
(4)
Evil W.

I really, really like Stans. I like it so much that I am willing to drive thirty miles one way to eat there. They have a really excellent pork sandwich and their brisket is *so* rich. Their sauces are a nice mix, maybe a little tame for my personal taste. The service always is terrific. Definitely one of my favorite barbecue places in the Puget Sound area.
(4)
Elbo W.

it smells awesome inside this place. i liked the brisket better than the pulled pork (which did not impress me the slightest). the brisket was lean and tasty. the sauces are pretty good. tater salad was alright.
(3)
Todd T.

This is one of the best baby back ribs I have ever had and I've tried BBQ from all over the US. I wasn't really in the mood for it, but when I got the ribs and went to cut the first rib, the meat fell right off the bone. It was delicious and even the side of potato salad I got was great. Will definitely be back!
(5)
Laura C.

I found the barbecue itself to be tasty enough. But to be honest, the rest of our experience was sub-par. When we went, the ambiance left a lot to be desired - there was only one other couple in the place, it was FREEZING cold, the decor was very plain, and the presentation of the food seemed cheap and cafeteria-ish (sandwich on a piece of paper with a tiny bag of Lays potato chips on the side). I definitely don't mind a casual atmosphere, but It felt like they were just trying to feed us rather than create an any sort of dining experience. Perhaps the atmosphere is more fun/warm/inviting when it gets crowded, but when we were there it just seemed dead. Unless you want to stick with the handful of Lay's chips, you have to order side dishes separately, which increases the cost quite a bit. Overall, I think there are better options in the area unless you are REALLY just in the mood for some BBQ. What I WOULD NOT recommend this place for: a fun place for dining out. What I WOULD recommend this place for: takeout when you are having a craving for BBQ, especially if you can pick up your own sides at the grocery store, or have a quality bag of chips at home. Bottom line: if the focus is on the food/getting some BBQ, then this place serves its purpose. If the focus is on the experience of dining out, then I'd recommend passing on this place. Even if you are looking for a very casual dining experience, I think there are lots of other places that offer much better atmosphere.
(3)
Amy K.

I lived in the South for awhile and ate a bit of BBQ, but have never really had KC style, so this was a first but I found it to be first rate BBQ and the MOST friendly staff can be found at Stan's. Seriously...do people get nicer once you are outside the city limits...the guys at Stan's are freakin nice guys.... We stopped in after a couple hours of snowshoeing to be welcomed by warm, wafting scents of sauce and meat PLUS they have NFL ticket so at least 3 different games were on. A lot of fans were in enjoying their football and sporting various jerseys (NE, KC and Denver were represented). I ordered the Cowboy (pulled pork) and Jeff went with the Chief (beef brisket) and a hot link...since neither of us had been there before our server suggested trying one of each of the sauces (they have sweet, mild and hot). I put a mix of the mild and hot on my sandwich and it as the Beastie Boys say, it was finger lickin, finger lickin good ya'll. I went with coleslaw as my side (kind of bland) and Jeff had the baked beans which were delish (and I normally don't like baked beans). I can't gush enough about the service...I had asked about the chili and our server said they were getting low and would recommend coming back at another time to try it when it was fresher....that's the kind of advice I like to be given. Decent selection of draft beers and lots of BBQ options on the menu. Sandwiches are on the large side...I was beyond full after eating half of mine. I am sure we will make a return trip after a day at the pass.
(4)
Anne W.

This is positively the WORST BBQ I have ever had anywhere, and we've had BBQ in South Carolina, North Carolina, Kansas City, lots of places in Texas, Denver, and numerous other locations. I am very picky about barbarcue, and we regularly smoke our own meats. Stan's meat is too salty, which I think is an attempt to cover its complete lack of flavor. If they smoke it, it sure isn't for very long. Good BBQ should have a very rich, smoky flavor, which this lacks. The sauces aren't very good and the sweet one has a very strange aftertaste. When I asked if they had cobbler, which any self-respecting BBQ house should have, the waitress didn't even know what it was! How can you not know the joys of good fruit cobbler? What they do have for dessert are positively disgusting flavors of cheesecake. We had ribs, chicken, pulled pork and brisket. None of it had great flavor. Most of it tasted as if it had been sitting around for far too long and possibly came from a steam table. I'm shocked at how good the reviews are for this place. The only thing that I can conclude is that the y'all just haven't had the pleasure of eating truly great barbecue. This is not it. And, as a postscript, my husband was up all night and sick the next day wtih food poisoning. He swears it was from the pulled pork, which was lukewarm.
(1)
Amber R.

Great BBQ for the East side of Seattle. Who's your Daddy is great to order as it gives you lots of food and on the weekends order the meatballs- you can never go wrong here. Who's your daddy is there sampler platter which can feed up to 4 people! Great atmosphere and plenty of t.v.'s to watch sports. Park behind the restaurant and reduce your stress trying to park on Front st.
(5)
Steve C.

This place is great. I've only ordered takeout, for no good reason b/c I'd be happy to belly up to the bar too. BTW- it takes them about 3 minutes to get your food ready, even if you just walk in and ask for togo. The brisket is my fav. I've had the pulled pork and the smoked turkey (both are great) but the brisket is heaven. Get the hot sauce, I've found one togo container of their hot sauce isn't enough - you gotta have two...
(4)
FudLvr e.

Well tasting meat with freshness. Had the cowboy sandwich and I want to have it again. I wasnt much of a BBQ lover until i came to this place. Good customer service and good ambiance. I bit pricey though., and the portions were small. Other than that.. the taste sky high.
(5)
Kristen R.

Great people, great food. Consistently good bbq in small-town Issaquah. They've even got Shiner Bock on tap. That alone is enough to drive a former Texan through the squeaky screen door. Try it. You won't be disappointed. (OH! And the turkey is fantastic! so moist and flavorful!)
(4)
Brian B.

A few years ago I drove across the country and basically ate my way from NJ/CT to Los Angeles stopping in places like North Carolina, Memphis, Louisiana, and Texas. I've had the best of North Carolina barbecue (I will admit I am foremost an aficionado of Carolina Pulled Pork), Memphis Ribs and Sauce and Texas Beef. Although I wouldn't say that Stan's is as amazing as the best barbecue I've ever had, I would put it up there among good barbecue joints and probably one of the best if not THE best in the Seattle area. The ribs are decent (I would still rank Jones' ribs higher). The brisket is very good and the pulled pork is by far the best in the whole area. I've been there on slow nights where they don't have a whole lot left and what we were served was at least good, if not very good. This is really a great place to come in, have a beer, eat some fine smoke meats and watch some games...or if there's nothing on, to have a great chat with some good friends.
(4)
Tom G.

Stan's is hit or miss. I've had it at times when it's fresh and hot, other times when it's old, overcooked and dry. Stan seems to treat his employees very poorly and there is never a shortage of young girls in shorts and tight t-shirts. This place is ok but nothing to rave about.
(3)
L. P.

I used to frequent Stan's quite a bit. After my experience tonight, I won't be going back. The food is slightly better than mediocre. The service was horrible. We had a Restaurant.com gift certificate for $25. We had to order $35 worth, excluding alcoholic beverages. Our waitress said we had not ordered enough food to qualify for the coupon yet, so we ordered an additional side. When our bill came it was $40 before tax. I questioned why she had told us we needed to order the additional side and she said the beverages (we had ordered iced tea) were not included. Nowhere on the gift certificate did it say that beverages were not included, just that alcohol was excluded. The waitress continued to argue with me and I asked to see the coupon again. So she sent the manager over who still proceeded to argue with me. Then finally as he sat reading the gift certificate, he says oh you're right, it doesn't say it excludes beverages. Here's yer sign, Stan. Goodbye.
(1)
Eddie H.

Great ribs and hot links and sides, really fast service, reasonable price (after gift certificate from restaurant.com ) and enormous amount of food that lasted another 2 meals!!!
(5)
will m.

an article in seattle weekly led me to take my wife and son here to try it out, kansas city bbq in this area? had to give it a try. i remembered how good the bbq in kansas city was when i was in kansas for 2 years and had to give this place a try in an attempt to reminisce. located in the historic area in issaquah, right next to the historic train park, stans isn't hard to find. when you walk in through the door, you are immediately punched in the face with the smell of meats being smoked, a great sign for bbq afficianados. i'm going to have to say that stans bbq doesn't disappoint in the quest for good bbq. authentic, real smoked, bbq at it's best at least in this area. it reminds me of eating at a backyard bbq. before our food arrived, it gave me a chance to get a feel for my surroundings. pictures of stan's family, tv's and kansas city chiefs memorabilia lined this entirely historic-chic restaurant. it felt as though i wasn't in issaquah, more like i was in the midwest. the ambiance was perfect for a bbq place, it made me feel comfortable, like being at home. anyways, onto the food. we started out with bbq chicken wings. at $1 each, it is pricey, but it's worth it. perfectly smoked bbq chicken wings that fell off the bone, which is only achieved by long periods of smoking. my wife ordered the general sandwich, a sandwich that puts two of stan's specialties, pulled pork and smoked brisket all on one sandwich. i ordered the $24 platter, chock full of bbq including sausage links, their well known brisket, pulled pork, pork ribs, potato salad, chips, bread and bbq sauce. there was so much food on this platter, i had to box it up and bring it home for dinner! the smoked meats were all delicious, fork tender and fell off the bone. the sausage was good, not too salty or spicy. the brisket was awesome, but you should add a little salt and pepper and mix it with the bbq sauce to get the full effect. the ribs fell off the bone, the pulled pork is almost as good as my own, hah hah ;-). all in all, a great bbq place, prices are fair for the amount of food and the quality of it. service was great and stan makes it an effort to welcome in new customers and make the feel right at home. though there are parking lots and street parking, it is still a challenge to find a spot during lunch hour, i'd imagine for dinner too. remember, if you come here, dress as you would going to a backyard bbq. bring comfy clothes that you don't mind getting little messy with and bring an empty stomach. you will leave happy
(5)
Mat C.

Excellent barbecue. I must admit, I'm not the biggest barbecue eater, but when your wife is from Texas, it becomes de rigeur. We both enjoy their pork, and as someone else said, their creamed corn is about as perfect as it gets. The sports screens are a nice touch, as well. So why not 5 stars? A couple of things... first, it's tough to eat there when the walls wreak of so much barbecue smoke. Petty, and expected, but other restaurants don't smell of what they cook. Also, not that impressed with their brats, though it's likely a personal thing. And after all of that, my wife would still say I'm wrong for not giving all 5...
(4)
Leah L.

Incredible BBQ, the cheesecakes are yummy, the creamed corn is to die for, and they have Shiner Bock on tap! The staff is (usually) very friendly. The environment is very relaxed and open. One note: when you leave here, you will smell like smoky-BBQ'y-goodness the rest of the night - get a table outside if you can!
(4)
Joanna V.

word of advice: don't try to eat while driving. i stopped by stan's on my way out of town and was completely satisfied with my entire meal. i'm not generally a creamed corn fan, but this stuff is firm & has a little cayenne(?) pepper for kick. the meat on the beef brisket was delectable...very juicy and flavorful! if i didn't feel the need to dip every sandwich i ever have in bbq sauce, i may not have even needed it. yeah, yeah, i know it's a requirement with this sandwich, and it makes it better...i'm just tryna get a point across that the meat was that yummy! the beans were a bit smokey, but i'm down with that. all in all, i had a great experience with stan's and will definitely be back
(5)
Sam H.

My officemate is from Texas. Normally, I make it a point to mess with Texas as much as possible, but when it comes to BBQ, most Texans are pretty knowledgeable. So I heard that Stan's makes some of the best turkey my office mate has ever had. He's been just about everywhere in the country, so he knows. So I went in there on Sunday around 2:00 and got me some turkey. Like Adam Sandler, I wish it only cost a nickle, but it was $9 for half a pound. The barkeep was a friendly bloke. He took my order and delivered the goods quickly. While I was waiting, I spied some pretty good looking pulled pork (I wish I'd gotten that) and brisket while being annoyed by the Garth Brooks. Anyway, the turkey was pretty good, but not as spectacular as I'd hoped... maybe it was overhyped. It did have a nice smoke ring, but honestly, it was just slightly better than Claim Jumper turkey (which is surprisingly good) . The baked beans were actually very good. They had a nice smokiness to them that I've never experienced before. I tried all their sauces and didn't care for any of them. They have too much chile powder for my taste and are very tomatoey. The chile powder overwhelmed the subtleties of the rest of the sauce. I tend toward the NC vinegar if I have a choice, so that may be the issue. So thumbs of for the service and the beans. Neutral to good for the turkey. Thumbs way down for the dip and Garth Brooks.
(3)
Michael G.

I'm giving it two stars only for the nice service. It falls within the bottom 5-10% of BBQ meals of my life. What a waste of money and a waste of a dining out opportunity... I do not recommend this place at all...
(2)
David D.

We have eaten at Stan's several times, every time has been terrific. The atmosphere is upbeat and the staff are fun. The food is true BBQ. I have had some of most everything on the menu and it is all excellent. I especially liked the pulled pork. The sauces are really robust, be careful of the hot one though, if you're a lightweight, you will feel like your face is on fire. The sides are all delicious, have fun, order something different than the others in your group and share. You won't be let down!
(5)
Katherine C.

I came here because I read in Seattle Met that this was on of the best BBQ places in Seattle area. I was really disappointed!! I ordered a sampler platter. The sausage was horrible!! And at first I couldn't even find it on the plate. The brisket was dry. The ribs seemed alright. The sauces were nothing to rave about. I thought I would get my socks knocked off with great BBQ, but I just got stunned with a hefty bill for bad food.
(2)
Taylor A.

I have had great BBQ here and I have had AWFUL BBQ here. That leads me to believe I am often eating day old BBQ or stuff that has been sitting out. The Ribs are typically on-point, but that is really it. The BBQ overall is very generic and would get spit out anywhere real BBQ was served. I can make better BBQ at home. Wish they would put a little more effort into it.
(2)
Brie D.

Oh. My. Gosh. WOW! Stan's has AMAZING barbecue food. I had their brisket sandwich and it was beyond delicious. Everything that my table ordered looks amazing!! I will be frequenting this establishment every time I visit Issaquah!
(5)
Cara S.

Huge meal 1/2 ribs, 1/2 brisket, potato salad, coleslaw, 3 slices of bread & 2 root beers only $24. Fast service took 5 mins for our food! Need I say more? Honestly? This is a damn good place to eat! Plenty of parking, and free. If not on the street there is parking in the back. They also have meals on their menu's that feed 2-a huge group of people and it is not bad at all on pricing. We will be back =)
(4)
Shelly L.

Kinda meh BBQ-had the brisket and it was so fatty and bland. Not much taste at all, and globs of fat on meat. Cream corn tasted good, but sauce was thin and runny, not creamy. Have had Texas BBQ and this does not even come close sadly...
(2)
Joanna K.

My dad is from Kansas City and I grew up visiting family and eating some spectacular KC BBQ! We each have our favorites LC's, Arthur Bryants, Gates... I happened upon Stan's really randomly driving through old downtown Issaquah. I thought we should give it a try in the hopes that there would be ONE good BBQ spot in the state of Washington. As soon as I saw all the Chief's memorabilia I flipped out with excitement (not because I'm a Chief's fan) because I realized it was KC style! The ribs are tender and juicy, the rub is the perfect amount, not overwhelming and the brisket is just as good. I love that I can taste the smoked meat without overwhelming dry rub and sauce all over it. I like that I can control the sauce amount. The sweet is my favorite, reminds me of the sweet & mild of Gates. I brought my dad for father's day and my whole family LOVED it (including my very picky mother). They went back a couple days later and brought home take out. Hands down best BBQ in Washington that I've found!
(4)
R M.

DO NOT HAVE A MISTAKE ON YOUR BILL HERE!!! STAN HIMSELF WILL SMOKE YOU IN HIS PIT. HOLY SMOKES! Seriously? I question the standards by which KING 5 rates their "Best of" list. The rave of this BBQ goes far beyond what I've really experienced. Kansas style sauce Thick - Tomato based, sweet, and spicy with some heat was good. Meat is a little skimpy which would suffice in a pinch. I've eaten there maybe ten times, until this LAST time. I got overcharged on my bill and politely inquired to the waitress. She saw the $4.00 overcharge. I thought she went to fix the bill but she came back to my table with the owner. Boy, did he make me feel like a jerk. He put his hands in the air as if I was trying to rob him of his livelihood, then looked at me and waited for me to respond. Then asked "What do you want me to do about it?" I said: "Stan, you make the decision." At that point I would have just paid the $4 and left, he obviously need it more than me, but he took off in a huff and told the waitress to fix the bill. After experiencing the down right rude demeanor from the owner it would take an awful pinch to get me to pay to be belittled again. I question any owner that will throw away their customers for their own $4 mistake. Funny thing about it, I was the one embarrassed. Food alone I would have given 3 stars and eaten there again. Unfriendliness by owner, never again. Will not recommend to anyone visiting.
(1)
David F.

If you're a sauce person, ask for extra. They put it on the side so it's not mixed in with the meat. The flavors were all there in both the meat and the sauce, but for me it needed a lot more sauce than provided. Overall, the flavors and drinks were pretty good. We went during a busy time so the service was average. We may go back if we're in the mood for BBQ again because it's near our house and gets the job done.
(3)
Morgan R.

Real barbecue in the Northwest Stan's has good pulled pork, and a devoted following. Unlike most barbecue places, they don't slather on the sauce - rather they give you the sauce on the side (mild, sweet or hot) and you get to put on the amount you want -- and that's a very good thing. There's a lot of barbecue in the Seattle area, and much of it is OK but not great. This is a cut above - you'd find better in North Carolina or Texas, but not here in the northwest. It's worth a trip.
(4)
Scott B.

Ok barbecue if you can get them to give you any of their "precious" sauce, which they hand out in tiny side containers. Horrendous service from surly waitresses, so if you want more sauce or god forbid, a refill on your drink after putting down dry BBQ, good luck.
(2)
Smart E.

Overall, good BBQ in the Northwest is near impossible to find, but Stan's managed to pull it off. It's definitely not the best BBQ I've had, but it is very good for not being in the South. I ordered a pork rib plate and brisket plate. Don't waste your time with the pork ribs. They were really overcooked (not tender at all) and lacked flavor. The only saving grace was the hot bbq sauce. I really enjoyed the brisket. It was very tender and juicy, but it would've been nice if it were a little less fatty. Like the ribs, it lacks flavor. You have to use the sauce, but I liked the hot bbq sauce, so that wasn't an issue for me. The two sides I ordered were the corn and the beans, both of which were satisfying. Bottom line, I would recommend this place minus the pork ribs :)
(4)
Pete J.

This is 3 star bbq. Good, but not amazing. That said, it's the best I've had since living in the the Puget sound region. But not nearly as good as the bbq you'd find in classic bbq cities. In other words, with a lack of competition, places like this don't have to be as good. So, I was excited to hear of a place that was in the classic Kansas City style of bbq in Washington. I've spent time in Kansas, and sampled a wide array of bbq joints from Kansas City to Dodge City, and I am a huge fan of KC style bbq with a sweet molasses sauce. I ordered the Blitz: Pulled pork, 2 links, and a side, plus 2 pieces of white bread. I went with hot-links, a favorite, and cole-slaw. Also tried the hot sauce and the sweet sauce. The meat was decent. Fairly smokey. And the hot-links, while flavorful, were not particularly spicy. Also the classic hot link is a short thick sausage with a casing that has a great snap when you bit into them. This was more or less a large breakfast-link style sausage. The hot sauce had some heat, as did the cole-slaw. The sweet sauce was decent, but a little heavy on the celery spice. It's a bit like a thinner clone of a Arthur Bryant's sweet sauce. Unfortunately for the slaw, while it had a tingle of burn, it was utterly bland. I'm half tempted to suspect the took a of Sysco slaw shreds and dumped in some chili-powder. Pretty lousy. For a bbq joint to elevate itself from just "okay" to "very good/4 stars" on acceptable meat, you really need to have great sides and good sauces (for those who like sauce). At the minimum, for $18.60 out the door for this meal, while the portions were ample, 2 pieces of wonder-bread and downright bad slaw is not enough. At least a higher-quality soft bread and some coleslaw with some flavor. Long and short, this is decent food. But not top tier. Good locally, but pretty meh on a national level. And a tad pricey. Hence why you don't see prices listed on the menu.
(3)
J K.

Long story short: the sandwiches aren't that great. The atmosphere is good and lively. Friendly service. The menu has a good assortment. I loved the pork and beans, the creamed corn, etc. But the brisket was dry and tough. And the sandwiches had too much meat. In fact, I believe the sandwich was a big pile of dry brisket in between a bun, with nothing else. I can see why people would like this place though. But I probably won't be back.
(2)
C M.

Took my family for Ribs & pulled pork but sadly they were both dry & bland. Sauce & potato salad & creamed corn were tasty sides. Nice staff though.
(2)
Jo-Lynn J.

Just for full disclosure, our experience with this restaurant was in October, 2011 -- although from the looks of it my review will have plenty of current company anyway. Also, although we stood inside to pick up the food, we had ordered ahead for pick up and did not eat in the restaurant. The interior of the restaurant looked clean and like a BBQ restaurant (in my experience) should... casual, country-type memorabilia on the wall -- looks very family friendly but I wouldn't want to try to get my husband's power wheelchair situated in the dining room. The seating configuration was too tight for that. Oh, and the food wasn't ready when they told us it would be so we had to wait about 10 minutes more for it after we'd arrived when instructed to. The food... well, suffice it to say that we had quite a bit of leftovers but it wasn't because we received huge portions. Each meal was reasonably sized but when people don't particularly care for what's on the plate, the leftovers generally take space in the fridge for awhile and then hit the trash. Such was the case with our food from Stan's. My son and DIL both said (before and after the meal) that this was the best BBQ place in Issaquah. That makes me very sad for them and now, for us too. We moved here from Florida and were hoping for something to approach or rival Sonny's BBQ. We clearly aren't going to find it so I'm going to have to learn how to cook pulled pork, brisket and other items well enough that we won't feel cheated. I don't remember specifically what we had but it was 4 adult meals and a child's meal. I DO remember thinking that we had representatives from all the food types that we've enjoyed from other BBQ places in the past (St. Louis ribs, sliced pork, brisket, chicken) and baked beans and other sides. Every bit of it was disappointing. I guess it was edible but it certainly wasn't enjoyable. And this stuff could sorely have used some garlic bread -- not the tasteless white bread that came along with. Waste of space in the take-out boxes... And, MAN, was it expensive. Those meals set us back nearly $100!! The same thing at our local Sonny's in Clearwater, FL would have cost around $50, we'd have LOVED it, had leftovers for the next day and would already be planning our next trip. Here in Issaquah, our other obvious option was Billy Bob's and althought it too was pretty expensive it WAS better but it's now closed. So, like I mentioned before, home cooking is going to be the way to get our fix. Maybe a smoker out on the deck....
(1)
gen h.

Food was good. Service was not... the waitress was short & discourteous. Imposed a 18% gratuity at lunch that was not par w/ the service. Cheesecake is certainly not worth the $6.59 they charge... not by a long shot. Overall better off getting a crockpot recipe & making pulled pork at home.
(1)
Linda B.

Being from Texas, my husband and I have been looking high and low for a decent bbq joint here on the eastside of Seattle. This place looked good when we walked in the door - smelled good - so we started out on a positive note. I has the pulled pork and the jalapeno links; husband had the ribs. This being Kansas City style, the meats were smoked and the sauce on the sweet side. I was sorely disappointed with the links. The skin wasn't crispy on the exterior and the interior was kind of mushy. The pulled pork was decent, though I have had much, much better. The ribs were reported as ok; definitely had better. The creamed corn was not creamed; it was niblets in a pepper sauce. Altogether ok because I like corn, but it definitely was not "creamed." The potato salad was average. The worst part of the experience was when the bill came -- almost $70 for two dinners and a slice of cheesecake to share. I realize after living here for a year that everything is more expensive, but even at world famous Rendezvous in Memphis you'll walk out with a $40 bill for two people. Stans was DEFINITELY not worth the $70 it cost. We will probably not go back.
(3)
G P.

We are from Texas and grew up on great BBQ. Stan's food was amazingly good. It the best BBQ we have found in Washington. The staff is friendly. They welcomed us when we walked in the door. The server was great. Definitely recommend this place!
(5)
Connie C.

YUM! Had the feed-6 meal, where you choose 6 sides, and 4 types of meat. The brisket was AWESOMe, the best i've ever had. The pulled pork was average, nothing special. Our group was torn on the ribs, some loved it, i didn't quite as much. And lastly, we had hot links (too spicy for me, but I still liked it). Would return again just for that beef brisket. Update: Have returned two more times JUST to eat the beef brisket. an absolute MUST try.
(4)
Tia W.

Best BBQ on the eastside! I ordered a half slab of baby back ribs with baked beans and they were delicious. The meat just fell off of the bone and they let you pick sweet, mild or spicy BBQ sauce toppings. The side dishes were too simple for me but I went with the baked beans. They also offer: cole slaw and corn. The sweet tea was alright but I was going there for the ribs and they didn't disappoint. Will definitely be back there again. P.S. I ate the remaining ribs for leftovers the next day and they tasted even better.
(4)
Jason V.

Well, I finally ate at Stan's. The BBQ was great and again the service was top notch. I again want to shout out the manager, I was looking for a place in Issaquah to watch the Sounders game and actually listen to it as well. I called and he said it is on and he would happily turn the sound on. When I walked in he had a TV tuned to game with a table ready. That sort of service will win my continued business.
(5)
Jackie B.

Best real BBQ and sweet tea! The who's your daddy combo is perfect for 2 people. The homemade BBQ is amazing also.
(5)
Ed W.

I almost never make reviews but this restaurant was just BAD! Three different orders (ribs, bisket and pulled pork) all came out cold. Yuck. Very limited beer selection despite numerous beer advertisements for nice local beers like Mac & Jacks that weren't available. Waitress offered no water to us. There are better options.
(1)
Steve H.

4 stars for the food. The ambience is awful with some of the worst restaurant lighting I've ever seen (I try to go during daylight hours when the natural light fills the place). It's like a flourescent dimness that feels like a government (or food bank) facility. The staff is hit or miss, with slightly more misses than hits. Too many times, I felt like I was being served by a spoiled Issaquah princess that just left high school and to whom reality of the workplace has not yet set in. The other ladies (usually the older ones) are great. Fortunately, I like the food, so I return. The pork can get on the dry side sometimes, but usually, I like it. I would say, however, to skip it and go for the brisket. Meaty, juicy, flavorful. Hot links are so-so. Ribs, I like, but I prefer good beef ribs instead of the the baby back pork that everyone else seems to love. They are very serviceable. My favorite item is the meatball which is only served on Friday and Saturdays. Good stuff if you like meatballs. The smoky flavor makes them stand out for what is otherwise a normal meatball. The prices aren't all that bad. The $25 per person platter is about 5 pounds of meat. I've had 4 meals out of it, easy. It's much more reasonable if you get a sandwich for around $12 which is more than we, as Americans, should be eating at a single sitting.
(4)
Habu H.

Liquid smoke, bagged meat, and cold salted fat. Overall: Denied
(1)
Michael H.

The BBQ and beer were excellent. I had The QB, four pork ribs with a 1/2 pound of pulled pork. Loved it. Even better, they have Mac&Jack and Manny's on tap!
(4)
Sarah R.

YUM! I LOVE Stan's. LOVE IT! You get a TON of food for what you pay. Wait, let me change that. You get a ton of SCRUMPTIOUS food for what you pay. The staff is friendly, the beers on tap are a plenty (Shiner Bach anyone?), and as mentioned before you will not leave hungry. When you have a hankering for BBQ, do yourself a favor and skip Billy Bob's and head on down the road to Stan's. You can thank me later. P.S. The spicy sauce isn't that spicy, so don't be scared to try it!
(4)
Matthew H.

Thanks guys, you successfully administered a BBQ hangover from eating so much of your awesome BBQ last night. First thing I noticed was the smell coming in, it smelled like years of awesome BBQ that had been made.I managed to consume a Pulled pork sammich, beans, babyback ribs, brisket, a little slaw and some bread to top it all off. This is a great little place to pick up some late night BBQ! If your open until 11 to feed people ribs, your A-OK in my book guys. Even though we came in a little late, all the servers were super cool and even suggested some cheesecake to top it off. I might have to roll back in a week and take you up on your cheesecake temptation.
(4)
N M.

Great service. Great ambience. Clean bathrooms. Very good food.
(4)
Jason P.

MEAT MEAT MEAT! This place is good ol all American smoke house BBQ as good as it gets. Beef brisket, ribs, pulled pork, sausage links, smoked wings and ice cold beer!!! Located in Issaquah, this place is great for after an arduous hike in the I90 valley. You will be sure to fill your belly with lots of juicy tender BBQ and quench your thirst with ice cold beer on tap. For $25 you get a variety of beef brisket, pulled pork, ribs, links, and two sides, at least a couple pounds of meat. We chose cream corn and bake beans as our sides. Their cream corn is a house special, creamy and spicy. On the side, they will thrown in bread so you dont get your hands dirty!
(4)
Mac F.

Below average BBQ, at best. Pulled pork was horrible. Everything seemed overly greasy. Upped it to 2 stars for thier friendly service. Certainly not the food!
(2)
Jens J.

Stan's barbecue is ohmygosh goodness. I can't recall better smoked meat anywhere. We could smell the hickory even before entering the restaurant. Inside, the aroma was divine. Coming at noon on a weekday only about half the tables were filled, so we were seated immediately by a gal in a tiny t-shirt and even tinier shorts. They have a full bar and Penny asked if I was going to have a martini and I said that, alas, the days of the three-martini lunch had long disappeared, probably when Jimmy Carter was president. Instead, I had iced tea. Penny ordered the ham platter and I ordered the pulled pork platter. Each platter comes with a slice of plain ol' white bread and a little cup of barbecue sauce, plus a side that you can select. You can order the sauce as sweet, mild or hot. Both the ham and pork were simply outstanding. Such yummy flavor!! Even the mild sauce has plenty of tang. The potato salad side was very good, traditional in its recipe. The cole slaw side was the only off note of the meal - soggy, limp cabbage in a sort of chili-powder infused light cream. The waitress said they had cheesecake for dessert. Naturally, I passed on that. Service was fine and orders came out very quickly. Even if they forgot to give me a knife, the tasty barbecue requires coronating Stan's with five stars. Right now my clothes reek of barbecue and I love it!
(5)
Deanna F.

If you're looking for some delicious smoked meat...this is the place. We love eating @ Stan's! Brisket, Ribs, Chicken...oh my! It's all good. To tell you the truth, I love the Caesar salad just as much as the meat. Who knew...a bbq place would have the best Caesar salad?! The atmosphere is great too.
(5)
Sandra P.

My new favorite BBQ spot in the NW. I never eat brats, but have to admit that the ones they create there are some of the best in the world. I thought I would rave about the pulled pork but it was the brats that stole the show. BTW both are delicious. Great staff and a great time. I will take the pilgimage from Alki again soon.
(5)
Philip L.

It's okay. Conveniently located near the Village Theater and in the middle of downtown Issaquah. It's not Tony Roma's - thankfully - but then it's not the best BBQ in town either. Not a bad place for a family diner if you can get the kids to eat BBQ. Very clean with great service. Good selection of beers. A bit overrated in my opinion, but at least classier than most BBQ joints.
(3)
Tim D.

I was not impressed by the brisket, which had way too much fat on it. The sauce was mediocre, and the hot was pretty tame. The beans tasted mostly of jalapeno, and didn't really have any molasses or other traditional flavor to them. Overall, a disappointing experience to say the least.
(2)
John B.

Service was fast and friendly, too bad the tastiest part my meal was the baked beans. The links were about on par with the hot dog I ate on a ferry the other day, the pulled pork was light on flavor, and used up all of the two tiny sauce packs I got. The ribs were much better than the other two meats but still fell short of most bbq I've had
(2)
Andy L.

Make no mistake, this place is good. And if you're in the mood for some solid BBQ you can't miss here. They make a big deal about being "Kansas City" BBQ, which I totally understand, that's some good Q, but they manage to contradict themselves in one important area related to that. Which I will go into hopefully without contradicting myself... I'm also going to see how many times I can work "Kansas City" into this review. There's also apparently a cornbread related rant, sorry... So for food alone this place is a 4-star rating, good, but not the best BBQ I've ever had. Since I'm rating the whole business and not just the food, it gets 3 because there's some issues... I'm a fan of ribs, I make a mean rack of ribs myself, but honestly I'd rather have someone else do it for me. The ribs here are delicious, but generally too dry for me, not as in the dry rub, but as in the meat is dried out, likely from sitting for too long before serving. They make a big deal out of the ribs being "so good you don't need sauce", and seemed to have drilled this into the wait staff because believe me you'll get some dirty looks and sneers when you ask for more than one tiny cup of sauce with your ribs. And when they grudgingly bring you more sauce? Its another tiny cup... fail. Kansas City BBQ is saucy BBQ. Making sauce is cheap, really cheap, just put a squeeze bottle on the table and let your customer decide how much sauce goes on their ribs. Kansas city gets them in trouble one more place... Cornbread. You know what goes really well with all kinds of BBQ? Cornbread. What do they not have at Stan's? Cornbread. Heaven forbid you should ask if cornbread is available, I've made this mistake, and one of my friends made this mistake before I could warn him. I'm not sure if it was the same waitress or not, but when asked if cornbread was available we were both told, with way too much attitude from someone that works for tips "This is Kansas City BBQ, and in Kansas City BBQ there's no cornbread." Well... excuse me for being so ignorant... but guess what, this isn't Kansas City. I'd much rather have cornbread than a slice of Wonder-bread, authentic or not its gross. Cornbread rants aside this place really is good, you might catch some attitude from the wait staff, but just don't question their mantra and it should be smooth sailing. Oh and if you were counting, including this next one there's only eight "Kansas Cities" in this whole review. Less than I thought there would be...
(3)
Maria Cristina B.

Mmmm.... Not sure about this place. The server was acting as though she was inconvenienced to help us. We ordered pulled pork and it was okay. Not great. The sauce choices were yummy. The coleslaw is tasty. All in all, it was just okay but I would give it one more go as I hate to judge by first shots. Sometime we just have a bad day... meaning the sever.
(3)
Tim H.

Ok, here's the thing. WA state BBQ isn't that great so far in my opinion. We come from an area where we are fortunate to have Joe's Real BBQ in Gilbert, AZ. It was a mainstay in our going out and was an awesome place for families. We've been looking for a place like that in WA that was a) a 'go to' BBQ place and b) good for families. We decided to head to Issaquah to try Stan's. I'm glad we did. It was good BBQ and very friendly staff. The location is really cool as well in historic Issaquah...good walks afterwards. Brisket: very good IMO. Tender, yum. Ribs: very good. fall-of-the-bone tender. turkey: "okay" Here's some of the things that knocked it from 4 starts to 3 for me. Prices: the menu is all over the place. It goes from a sandwich to a full on cater for 6 option. It was overwhelming. I wanted to sample a little of everything but that item was more $30...not acceptable. Stan's should consider revamping the menu options/portions to accommodate lower prices but more reasonable offerings. For a BBQ place I expect to get out for ~$30...for a family of 4 here I don't think that is possible. "Hot" BBQ sauce: really, it was supposed to be hot? It wasn't IMO. When someone says hot, I expect it to be hot and not desirable for a lot of peoples' taste...this simply wasn't. It was good, just not "hot." Restaurant layout: it had more of a bar feel to it. If I was Stan I might consider revamping this as well...more casual and open it up more. Maybe I'm wrong and the bar is one of the more popular aspects of this place (we are not bargoers)...so if it is, disregard. Kids: Kids portion was adequate...maybe too much (and maybe $2 overpriced). The "mac-and-cheese" we expected to be some KC-style homegrown recipe. To our disappointement (but to my son's enjoyment) it was straight-up Kraft Mac-n-Cheese. For that it was overpriced. Will Stan's be our go-to BBQ place? Doubtful...it wasn't blow-us-away-good that we'd trek from Kirkland on a regular basis. But if we are craving some good BBQ, I'd be back.
(3)
Andrew R.

Went all the way out to Issaquah because Seattle Magazine said they have KC Style BBQ. I spent a good chunk of my life in Kansas City, still have family there and have eaten at every BBQ place out there so I was really looking forward to it. It's not KC style BBQ. It may be molasses based but didn't taste a thing like KC style sauce. Everything, including sides were way too spicy and sauce came in sweet, medium and hot. So not KC Style, just the decor. Anyone wanting a fix on KC Style BBQ should just order it from one of restaurants in KC that will ship it overnight.
(2)
Chris S.

Really enjoy Stans location, atmosphere, and the people working there. Went there for a beer and some wings both were great no question but what I really enjoyed was being able to have a friendly chat with not only the staff but the locals around me. Turned out to be blast - I'll go there again in the next week or so as usual. Upon reading some of the other poor reviews on the place I can agree that though their BBQ is good it's not like you're getting it straight from the south... but hey, it's the northwest I'm not expecting world class BBQ. Maybe a good entrepreneurial opportunity?
(4)
Jon C.

I'm a BBQ fanatic. A snob, if you will. I frown upon cheap ingredients, and I love heaping piles of smokey goodness. I love taking home leftovers, and paying a reasonable amount of money for a great meal. I first experienced Stan's, catered at my work. It tasted a few hours old (like some catered food does), but it was still delicious. The sausages, I didn't care much for, but the pulled pork was amazing. The sides were decent (the creamed corn was unique), but the pulled pork left a great taste in my mouth. And apparently, it left a great taste in someone else's mouth, as the leftovers were always stolen from our fridge. I decided to see what it's like at the actual restaurant. I wanted to try the BBQ fresh from the kitchen. Well, to start, the place is cramped. Trying to eat heaping plates of meat with a crowd is nearly impossible. It's sort of a 'sports bar' setting. Not really the kind of place I'd expect to find great BBQ, but it's rather clean. As I sample every BBQ joint, I ordered the pulled pork. A pound, to be exact. Firstly, the meat is expensive. Far too expensive (a little over $20 per pound). What bothers me about this, is the fact that they do not advertise all-natural or organic products. I can't imagine they use them. Now, I'd gladly pay $20 for a pound of all-natural, hormone-free, BBQ'd meat. This, I imagine, is not high-quality product. An so, I have to dock them for this. Too expensive for what's served. That said, it's still delicious. Extremely delicious. Unfortunately, as I imagine they take shortcuts on their meat, the bread is terrible (but traditional, I'm told). With your giant pile of BBQ, you are given one (1) WonderBread-style bun or slice of bread (filled with high-fructose corn syrup and chemicals). You may ask for another bun or two, and the waiter won't fuss. But still, for over $20, I would expect a sliced baguette or better quality sandwich bread. Instead, you're given garbage bread. Utter garbage. The service is rather quick and delightful. Friendly staff. The meals take about ten-to-fifteen minutes. All said, their BBQ is amazing. Despite all of the shortcuts and profiteering, this is the best BBQ joint in the greater Seattle area. Hands down. But I'm begging you, Stan's: please improve the quality of the ingredients and items. You'd be my best friend, if you did. If you don't mind ingesting HFCS, growth-hormones, pesticides and other such industrial food chemicals (and paying a premium to do so), this is your BBQ joint. Worth the drive for the taste, but perhaps not for the quality. As an aside, Smokin' Pete's (in Ballard) offers all-natural and organic products for about the same price. However, their BBQ is not nearly as good. 'Tis a shame.
(4)
Carrie S.

AMAZING Wow this place rocks, My family and I love to go to Stan's BBQ for great food, friends and fun! We have been there many times and have always been welcomed as soon as we walk in the door. The place is clean, food is delicioous and the staff is terrific. Stan always stops by our table and coverses with us! We highly rec this place!!!
(5)
Audrey S.

The food at Stan's is quality BBQ. The service is quick, the prices are good, and the portions are solid without being gluttonous. My one complaint? The kids menu Mac and Cheese. Kraft Easy Mac? Really?
(4)
Heesun K.

I would give 5 stars for the AWESOME service. Don't remember her name, but she was really nice from right when we walked in til we left the place. The place was easy to find. Exit I-90 on #17 then stay on Front st..and it'll be on your left. The parking's right behind the restaurant. I had $25 off Gift Certificate from Restaurant.com , and I was so eager to use it - had to spend $35 to use the discount. I ordered Who's your daddy? and half-rack of Baby Back Ribs. I gotta say the ribs were the best thing from this restaurant. Meat fell right off the bones and they had hot, medium and sweet(?) sauce. Beef Brisket was juicy and tender. I didn't like the pulled pork because it was sooooo dry. It felt like the meat was pulled like the night before and was chilled on the counter or something. overall, it wasn't bad to give it a try. Not sure if I would go back since I live far anyways.
(3)
Nathan P.

Great food love to go to this place with my mom and step dad... They did great job in everything....
(5)
Brian F.

A tour de force in mediocrity. Both the pulled pork and the brisket tasted like they had been slowly oven cooked, then faintly smoked after the fact. The distinct lack of a deep pink smoke ring indicates this is likely how they make "bbq" at this place. I do not think there is real slow smoking going on here. Provided sauce was meh, the sides (potato salad/creamed corn) were fine but there is not much choice to them. Good tap beer selection. If you are looking for real, slow smoked brisket and pork (rather than meat that just looks like it) then go elsewhere. Unfortunately in Seattle there are not many (any?) other choices.
(2)
John S.

I have been coming to Stan's off and on since they've opened and generally their BBQ has been good. We went in there a couple weeks ago as I hadn't been in awhile and was just in a mood for BBQ. We sat at the bar and I ordered the QB and my wife ordered the Hawks Nest, so between the two of us could get the Holy Trinity of Beef, Chicken, and Pork, plus have some leftovers. Here's where I downgrade them. You could literally not taste the difference between the three. They had the exact same flavor! Dry rub should be able to stand on it's own and the sauce on the side should augment the flavor. Service was so-so (slow to acknowledge and get us drinks, yet food came out in a reasonable time). Maybe we caught them on an off night, but were disappointed enough to rate them on the low side.
(2)
Anika E.

I went here for the first time yesterday. We were greeted right away by a friendly server. I had a Bloody Mary and my boyfriend had a Margarita. He didn't like his margarita--he said it tasted like sour mix. I thought it was fine, but I'm not usually a margarita drinker. I chose the Chief--a beef brisked sandwich. The meat was tender and juicy but not very flavorful. I would have preferred if the BBQ sauce was mixed with the meat rather than adding it myself--I didn't have enough sauce. The potato salad was pretty good. This isn't really my style of restaurant, but I would go back there because of the friendly service.
(3)
Kira I.

Upon walking in, I immediately got the American country vibe with big exuberant flags, sports on the screens, and beers flowing out of the taps. +2 points for creative menu options We ordered the "Who's your Daddy?" & "Who's your Momma?" combination. Which featured 3 ribs, 1/2lb beef brisket, 1/2lb pork, 2 links, 1/2lb turkey, 1/2lb chicken and 4 delicious sides. Potato salad, coleslaw, baked beans & recommended creamed corn. *drools* Meat= heaven. But only when it's cooked right. I was a little bit disappointed not knowing that the 6 little plastic ramequins of sauce was supposed to be for all 2+ lbs of meat for us. That was shocking. Those crazy Kansas-ites! I could taste a difference in the meat than what I could make, but nothing was "OH MY GRAVY" good. I liked the zesty link....and hickory flavor to the pork. Must be an excellent rub. I think, sadly, the best part of the experience was the company. Couple of crazy Yelpers. And Peter. Oh and Rebecca's bloody mary was delish. As was my Pyramid Hef's but you can't go wrong there =)
(3)
Aggie M.

Last time take-out brisket was gristly and dry. Have still only done take-out so can't vouch for dining-in experience.
(2)
Nick J.

I love this place. Food is absolutely delicious and the staff is awesome. Great place to grab dinner with friends and/or watch the game. 5/5.
(5)
Amanda A.

So glad to have this excellent BBQ place down the street from me! I had the brisket which was soooo good...as good as the brisket I've had at Salt Lick BBQ in Texas. The atmosphere is fun and fitting, you really do feel like you are in the Midwest. Looking forward to going back to try the sausage and other dishes.
(5)
Chris S.

Barbecue seems to be one of those hot button topics that seems up for endless debate: regional styles, sauce types, meat types. For me, there are a few things that I judge BBQ on: smokiness, overall flavor, sauce, and how well the meat is cooked. For Stan's, this means that that meat usually has a decent smokey flavor, and the sauces are decent. Where it falls down for me is the consistency -- sometimes the meat is moist and tender, and other times it is dry. We tried the "Who's Your Daddy" combo the last time through, and this was way too much for two people, and we took a lot home. But it gave us a good sampling of the offerings. The best were the pulled pork and beef brisket, with the caveat that we've had both before and they don't always hit the same quality levels. The ribs were okay, nothing particularly special, and the hot links were something I would pass on. The service was good, though: fast and friendly, and they gave us a couple more containers of sauce with our take out container. Overall, it's okay. More consistency would bump this up a star.
(3)
Deb J.

This is good BBQ but not great. This was my 1st time and his 2nd time to Stan's BBQ. We used a restaurant.com coupon and that made the price acceptable. We ordered the meatballs(10) for $7.99 available only on Saturdays and Sundays only. Tasty but rather pricey for 10 tiny meatballs. That's 80 cents per meatball - if they were 2x as big, maybe. I'd skip it next time. He ordered the ribs & 1/2 chicken w/ coleslaw for $16.29 approx. I ordered the ribs and pulled pork w/ baked beans for $16.29 approx. We both had iced teas. They use hickory for their smoking - it's pretty intense smell and taste throughout and not my favorite wood for smoking (or the smell is about something else that they include in their smoking/prep) but hey it's a BBQ place. So I won't complain about that. Our meals were tasty but nothing to write home about. The ribs were the best thing on the menu. The ribs were tender but not fall off the bone tender. Maybe we'll come back for Happy Hour and get a full slab for $20.95 on Tuesdays only (just a few dollars off regular pricing) or use another restaurant.com coupon to make the price better. They have different options on different days for their Happy Hour. The chicken was very tender; the pulled pork was tasty (after dousing it with the HOT sauce). The HOT BBQ sauce was not hot - come one now - it's about a 2.0 out of 5 in my opinion. I can't handle hot near as well as he does but even I would have liked it much hotter. The MILD was definitely mild (considered their "regular") and we didn't bother with the SWEET variety. If you're going to be a BBQ place, then you need to have a regular HOT that is truly hot and then a NUCLEAR HOT BLAZING option that you practically have to sign a waiver for. The sides were OK - small portions - nothing spectacular although we did NOT try the creamed corn which the menu touted (can't remember what the phrasing was but something about slathering it on a body part and licking it up it was so good - well I just didn't believe it. I consider beans and slaw to be BBQ restaurant staples, so maybe if their beans and slaw had been better I would have wanted to have tried the corn.). Last time he had tried their links - but didn't like them, and when he brought them home as leftovers and I tasted them, I didn't like them either. The service was very nice and prompt. The servers seemed to alternate - we didn't have just one. They brought extra sauce per request. The atmosphere was a bar-type atmosphere which is OK. But to take home my leftovers - a STYROFOAM container - come on now folks! Even MacD's doesn't use that anymore. Come into the modern age! It would be nice to try everything If we have a hankering for BBQ we might go back but would probably try a few other BBQ places first. Just because they are GOOD but not GREAT. And their regular prices are pricey so would definitely do something to bring the overall cost way down - like Happy Hour or restaurant.com coupon.
(3)
Al S.

I agree with other: Good, but not great. Most meat was cooked very well, but without adding sauce there was very little flavor. My ribs were overcooked and dried out. The brisket was good and the portion was ample. One surprise was the turkey; moist and flavorful. The sides were good, but portions small. I like the kick in the cole slaw, but no one else in my group did. My daughter enjoyed the pulled pork, but again, without adding BBQ sauce there was little taste. BBQ in the northwest is a sad thing and Stan's is better than most, but there is still room for improvement. I'd eat here again, but if this place was in Texas, KC, or Birmingham, they wouldn't last long.
(3)
Andrew C.

I will be up front and state I am no bbq connoisseur. I haven't traveled the country sampling bbq from this state and that. I have no clue what makes KS bbq different from another state's. What I do know is I enjoyed my food. I forget the names of the combos we ordered, but they consisted of pulled pork, brisket, and brats. We also got sides of the corn & potato salad. Pros 1. All the meat was super tender. 2. Portions are HUGE. 3. Parking lot available behind the restaurant. 4. Unlike another prominent east side bbq establishment, this place is open everyday, till at least 8:00pm. It was nice to be able to grab bbq at 7:00pm on a Sunday night when the bbq craving came calling. Cons 1. If there's one side I associate with bbq, it's cornbread. Sadly they had none on their menu. =( 2. I do wish the meat had more flavoring to them. When drenched in bbq sauce, no problem. When eaten without the sauce, it was kinda bland. 3. It's not cheap. This is offset by the fact that their portions are HUGE so not a biggie if you have the money. Dinner for 2 with the aforementioned sides came out to be around $35. After eating bbq for a couple days, I'm a little meated out, but the next time the bbq craving comes back, it will be "Get in my belly!" time at Stan's.
(4)
Cam S.

A coworker told me about this place and it is a MUST every time I'm in the area
(5)
Garth O.

Great BBQ. The smoked turkey is moist and flavorful. Always a good atmosphere with tons of beers on tap. You will also see a myriad of sports on numerous TVs. The only knock is they do not have cornbread. BBQ is just not BBQ without cornbread. That cost them the elusive fifth star from me.
(4)
Curtis C.

Im not much into BBQ so it has to be rockin to impress me. This was not rocking and not impressive. Again, this is decent BBQ but not amazing. The portions are huge and the price is ok for the amount of food. I would say the best item there are the ribs and the beef briscit (sic). The sides (potato salad, pork & beans) are nothing to write home about. The wait staff is friendly and on the ball.
(2)
Jim T.

As advertised. Great BBQ, but very "smoked". Walked out and straight to a shower as I didn't want smell like food all night! Ribs falling off the bone tender and pulled pork (The QB) in a very generous portion. Wife had the brisket which I tried to trade for but no go! Hot sauce was, but not overwhelming. Quite busy early on a weeknight so I imagine it can get really crowded during prime times. Worth a stop for sure.
(3)
Chet F.

So glad we made the trip to the 'Quah for Stan's. This is the closest I have came to KC BBQ. Stan does it up right. Plus a huge bonus that the place is decked out in KC Chiefs memorabilia. We order the "Who's Your Daddy" combo which has brisket, pulled pork, brats, and a couple ribs. PLUS another half slab on the side. ALL of it was great! A very deep smokey flavor in all the meat, ultra tender and moist. The only thing I thought was lacking were the sides...just okay nothing to salivate about. Anyways, being from Kansas City and moving out here within the last 2 years, I will be making the trip out east more often to visit Stan and his BBQ!! Thank you Sir!
(5)
Geri M.

I go to Stan's quite often. The food is generally very good. I did make the mistake of going toward the end of the evening and the food wasn't as fresh, hot or good. I'll take this as an anomaly. It was definitely a first. I believe its Kansas style BBQ, so the sauce (very good by the way) is served on the side and the meat is smoked. I love it still.
(4)
Dis G.

While there was a rather large amount of various meats available, I was severely disappointed that most of it was dry, and rather expensive. They also seemed to skimp on the portion sizes that were listed on the menu. Rather drive to Port Gamble and Eat at Mikes 4 Star. Worth the drive over this place. Also like to add that there really is no difference in their mild, medium, or hot BBQ sauces. I honestly could not tell the difference. Just immensely disappointed in this place.
(2)
Ka T.

I normally start the review by pointing out the good things first, but a few things bugged me so much that I gotta spit it out - ASAP. The brauts, how the hell can you make so horrible?! It is dried, like no juice dried. The meat is tough, as they just ran out and placed a new batch in 1-2 hours prior... and everything tastes like liquid smoke. It raises concern for me that a bbq place not smelling like bbq... ok, now on to the next things on the menu... The meats are alright. It might be that I got there at a time where the meat is just sitting around too long, but honestly, it was dried. We were a party of 6, and ordered most of the pit items, and highly disappointed. The prices were fair for what normal BBQ would expect, actually a bit lower than a few, but taste wise, no way.
(2)
Sean C.

My hometown. My own hometown, and I never bothered to try this place until about a week ago. Oh well, better late then never. But never late is better...:O Came here with two other friends, and was greeted by a sea of red Chiefs jerseys. I guess its not too surprising that this is a local hangout for those whose roots are in K.C. - the decor speaks well to those very same roots. We split the "Who's you're daddy" combo. And I'll be damned if that platter wasn't one of the most magnificent sights I'd ever seen when it hit the table. Here's what it consisted of: 1/2 lb of beef brisket 1/2 lb of pulled pork 2 sausages of your choice 4 pork ribs 2 sides of your choice (we went with baked beans and potato salad) 6 slices of white bread For two thin Asian males and a thin Caucasian female, this was more than enough food. The brisket had a nice char, and a great smoky flavor to it. The pulled pork was tender and flavorful. The brisket and pork, however, seemed just a tad bit dry to me, but the servers are happy to ensure there is no shortage of sauce. The ribs were also tasty, and the tender meat fell off the bone nicely. The sides were good; I'm itching to try the others next time. The sausages were okay, but were probably the weak links of the platter (no pun intended [jk]). Living in the Pacific Northwest, most of our experiences with BBQ consists of outdoor patio grilling and Travel Channel. But fear not! There is a light at the end of the tunnel. I just never would have expected that light to be within a 10 minute drive of the house I grew up in. I'll be back.
(5)
Kelly F.

Excellent BBQ!! It's the way BBQ should be done. Smoked and tender. Great sauces too. 3 different kinds: spicy and mild and sweet (or something like that). The beans and slaw were also perfect. Friendly little place to eat, kind of a Sports Bar. It would be a great place to gather for game. Helpful staff. I catered Stans for a lunch for 25 people and Stan's was a hit! Everyone was loving his brisket and ribs. Stan even made an extra effort to put a little layer of fat on top of the brisket to keep it moist while he delivered it. Thank you Stan! My husband and I will be dropping into your restaurant often.
(5)
Jennifer M.

For the money this BBQ joint is way below my list of "good" BBQ! Their meats are smoked alright, BUT they lack in flavor and sauce. I was very very dissapointed after hearing good things about Stans. We spent $60 on lunch and I felt like we threw a flame to three twenty dollar bills!!! Sorry Stan's, you just did not impress me! :o(
(1)
M S.

Excellent service, warm welcoming staff.
(5)
Bill Q.

In order: my work had Stan's delivered for our Christmas party, but I did not get to much because there was a lot of pot luck. I then ran into Stan outside of his place and we talked about how no one up here likes beef ribs.(Which is something his son and I both really like). Just got back from his place for lunch finally. Paper towels on the table, awesome! Getting your food quickly, yeah baby! Awesome brisket, hmmmm....yes... Why not 5 stars..well, Stan's does not do a lot of things, they do one thing only really. Not much in the way of sides. If you are going with a group of people, I hope they are all carnivores and just want BBQ. Only real veggie was creamed corn. Meh, had much better...Wish they had some greenveggies here, would have been better
(4)
Chad W.

This is by far the BEST BBQ I have had!!! I split a huge sampler of different types of meat from pulled pork to sausages. I can't remember all the different kinds but it was more then enough for the two of us and we both can eat!! We finished it but sure didn't need to. Cost is on the higher end but well worth the little extra. Do not expect a amazing service as this place is more like a bar but the waiter we had did a good job dealing with 5 guys all being difficult and giving her a hard time. Again, 5 stars and I can't wait to go back!!
(5)
ed c.

Sign on the door claimed to be best in Seattle area in 2009. Pulled pork cowboy sandwich came w. small cup of decent cole slaw, 4 stars. My caesar salad w/ brisket was 3 stars - salad was good, ample meat, but it was dried out, and most of the flavor was in the fat cap. Add one soft drink, bill was $24 + tip. Good BBQ is pricey, so 3 stars for value, 4 for portion size, 3 for quality of food, 3 for ambience, and 3 for service. Would I eat there again? Maybe if I ordered something other than brisket, edq882
(3)
Mark M.

Great pulled pork sandwich. Loved the sauces. Ribs are really good. Took off a star because Kraft mac n cheese was around $6, and the service was below average - the waitress was rude when my wife asked if they had french fries.
(4)
Raymond B.

I don't eat barbecue often and there are not many places in the region here which still have barbecue. It's great to have Stan's in Issaquah. Today was my first time at Stan's. We arrived and found parking in the back where there was also an entrance. The place has a bar atmosphere and well... there's a bar there too. It's somewhat dimly lit and overall clean. I didn't use the restroom. I ordered the beef brisket at one pound which I shared with my brother. In addition I also had a bowl of chili (ground beef) with some jalapenos and a Mr. Pibb. The service was quick and cordial. Just what you want. The soda was fresh and cold. My standard on chili is somewhat high. I think the chili was mediocre in taste. I didn't see any onion, garlic or many spices in the chili. The things which make good chili shine. Even with the jalapenos I didn't find the chili hot. If you are a chili aficionado you probably will be less than impressed. The beef brisket came with white bread which was fairly bland and resembled something like a thick piece of Wonder Bread. The brisket itself was slightly on the dry side but still decent and very tender. I didn't need a knife for cutting it at all. The fat on the side was easily trimmed off. The barbecue sauce was marked "H" on the side of the brisket in a seperate cup. Presumably this "H" means hot. I didn't find it hot at all, but ever so slightly spicy and tasty. I was happy to get the BBQ sauce on the side in order to apply as much as I personally prefer. I'd recommend visiting Stan's and will return.
(4)
J.P. S.

Growing up in both Kansas City a few miles from the state barbecue festival as well as Nashville where there is great barbecue as well, I have VERY high expectations. Stan's exceeds expectations though with the most flavorful and juicy smoked meats I have had in the Seattle area. Whether it's the Cowboy or the Chief, you almost can't go wrong. Not to mention that I am impressed with the homage to Ollie Gates. The only thing they may be missing from the Kansas City experience is having to walk past the smokers on your way to order.
(5)
Cassie S.

Food is ok. We both had the pulled pork. Meat has no real flavor but there is a lot of it. Sauce is on the side, not enough, and I wasn't impressed with the sweet. If we go back here, I'll try the mild. Coleslaw was unflavorful, potato salad was good. I will echo a couple other reviews and wish that they served cornbread. Waitstaff ranged from helpful in the door to uninterested at the table to "where the hell is the check that I asked for 15 minutes ago?" Atmosphere is nice.....if you like a side of frat boys with your sammich. My search for good bbq continues
(3)
Craig J.

As a former Raving Fan, I hate to say it but things seemed to have slipped. Brought home a large take our order this weekend for a birthday party. Brisket was fatty, ribs were overdone and the pulled pork didn't have much flavor. All in all, the food was fine but certainly not outstanding like in the past. Maybe it was the fact the order was take out? Just expected better especially for the price. EDIT: Returned with some friends and the service was outstanding. " Something" has happened with the food. It is no longer the wonderful place it once was. We won't be back...too bad to see a great place go downhill.
(2)
Art Y.

I am a real fan of this place if my hunger is for good BBQ with large portion. I have never been able to finish everything they served me but, I will gladly bring it home. The ribs are so nicely done ... the meat will glide off the bone and fall into your welcoming mouth. Deliciously soft and really tasty because of the extensive marinading and rubs. Service felt like you're home at grandma's --- friendly and prompt. Good service, tasty foods: what more can I ask? PS: y'all from Texas, please be aware --- this ain't Texas BBQ --- it is Kansas BBQ. So, it tastes a little different but tasty!
(5)
Minnie K.

I've been here about 6 times? I love the brisket sandwich & the smoked chicken. I've had both the baked beans and the potato salad both were great. I'm not the best judge of BBQ because I haven't really been around the US that much to sample different styles. But I like that the meats are smoked nicely and they offer sauces that you can slap on top. I have had BAD BBQ in Seattle so I feel Stan's stands apart! The service is very friendly, the dining area is comfortable with both booths & tables. It's a fun place to come on the weekend to watch a game they have TV's all over the place you can see from almost every seat in the house. I look forward to trying everything else on the menu.
(4)
Ross M.

Awesome ribs. The best I have ever had. No sauce even necessary. Also tried the smoked bratwurst and smoked meatballs which were both delicious. Always try to make it here when in Issaquah.
(4)
amanda b.

Great place! my husband and I go almost every sunday and get the Who's your Daddy. Its become a tradition. Good beer selections and really quick service. The brisket is my favorite and my husband likes the jalepno links. Def. best BBQ on the eastside.
(4)
M B.

Tasty stuff! A favorite lunch get away from Bellevue if I have an extra few minutes. The flavor and portions are always excellent!
(4)
Tracy C.

This place is flat out the best BBQ we have found since we moved here from Louisiana. Go, great service, great food, consistent every time!
(5)
Brandie G.

Hear and see about here so a girlfriend and I went to check it out. Was alright, def have had better BBQ. Brisket was kinda dry and bland. Drinks super weak.
(2)
K W.

I'm surprised at some negative reviews. I've been numerous times and the meat is always great, especially the brisket. Not fatty or greasy so unfortunate someone had that experience. It's KC style BBQ, and I'm from Kansas. I've always had good service too, so not sure what's happened when people have not. I like the Old West sort of bar. I've tried about all other BBQ in Western Washington for 20 yrs and never found anything very good - this is my #1 BBQ joint.
(5)
Bill W.

Stan's is as good as I remembered. It's not the swankiest place, but who needs that when you're hankering for BBQ? My sandwich, The General, was piled high with beef brisket and pulled pork, all of it smoky, moist, and tender on a bun that could handle it. I got the 'hot' sauce, which was just the right heat for me: spicy, but not overpowering. She got a Caesar salad topped with turkey. Also very tender and tasty. A side of mild sauce was also delicious. We liked the potato salad and cole slaw companions. The former was creamy, with good mustard and pepper flavors. The latter was interestingly Asian. Stan's is a pretty hefty commute from our house, but we'll be back again. In the meantime, it serves as a good reference point on my search for good BBQ.
(4)
Justin H.

I've been to Rendezvous in Memphis, so maybe I have high expectations for my ribs, but these didn't do it. They weren't even Alton Brown's braised rib recipe quality. The rub had no flavor. These were definitely dependent on the sauce, and they weren't really falling off the bone either. The chicken was much of the same. Greasy, a little herby, and not tasting very BBQey. I was seriously hoping it would compete with Nelson's (Mishawaka, IN; nelsonsbbq.com ). Sadly, it didn't. The brisket was really good, though. I would've liked more than 1 slice of white bread for a half pound of brisket, but I can't complain about the brisket itself. It was really tender, and while it needed sauce it was delicious.
(3)
Carin S.

9/3/09: Had to cater another luncheon today where the manager specifically told me to go to Stan's. Told him OK, it's your budget. The lunch was for today. I typically will call several days in advance to do a sizable order, but this time I forgot. An hour before I needed it, I called, explained my dilemma, and the young lady on the phone told me absolutely no problem. Placed my order; got there a little earlier than I thought I would, and even though I told them I would wait, they started throwing my order together most efficiently. The biggest surprise? They no longer charge that automatic 18% on orders over $100 :o) Very nice. And because they were so sweet to take my somewhat-large order and put it together so quickly, I did tip 20% anyways - I was that impressed. And the luncheon? Total success - the team loved the food. No leftovers here! PREVIOUS REVIEW: 1 star - I don't know how their food is; I didn't get to try. I work in the area and was going to cater a business lunch, using Stan's, as my boss loves a good BBQ. Interesting that they say no delivery, cuz they will, but for $50. We work right up the street. A little steep for a couple minutes' drive, I think. So I thought, OK, I'll go pick it up. After I placed my order, which came to nearly $200, the young lady on the phone informs me that all orders over $100 automatically gets 18% slapped on it for gratuity. I told her that was unacceptable. We were not dining in (if we were, I'd have no problem with that - I would even tip a little more; my customary 20%) and not even having it delivered. I was picking it up myself. So 18% for what - for throwing it in a bag for me to haul away? I generally tip for takeout service as well, but never 18%. She said that this was carved in stone; no way around it. Told her that was unfortunate and to cancel my order. I took my business elsewhere that day. Pity, too - had my boss like it, they would have gotten a lot of repeat business from me.
(5)
James R.

On many an occasion I've had Kansas City BBQ, and Stan's is definitely authentic KC BBQ. Their brisket is tender, their pulled pork is bbq'd perfectly. The ribs are great, the chicken is average, and the turkey is a little disappointing (it's just sliced, not bbq'd). If they have a downside it's their BBQ sauce. I'm not a fan of it, and I wish they had more options. That's why I like to order carry out and add my own. That said, the meat is so good here sauce is an option, not a requirement for taste.
(5)
Spunky H.

Not really BBQ but meat with BBQ sauce on the side. I don't know why so many people seem to like Stan's. They serve the meat plain on a bun with a little plastic container of your choice of barbeque sauce. In my opinion, the meat should be cooked in and covered with sauce. As others have said, sometimes the meat is even dry and not a bit juicy. The service has never been very good when I have been there either. (...and I am not the kind of person who likes servers coming up every few minutes.) They have ignored us just about every time. Stan's is not so good!
(2)
Johnny J.

Good BBQ at fair prices. Staff is wonderful.
(5)
Jeffrey R.

Rule #1, dont order something called "Who's your daddy", you are just asking for trouble. The problem is you want to eat everything on the plate, but there is no way possible to eat that much food (I was warned only one person has accomplished this feat).
(4)
Davis H.

Amazing delicious BBQ. Tried the ribs, brisket and potato salad-- all were incredible. The ribs don't need sauce at all, though the brisket did need to be dipped into Stan's damn tasty sauce. Kind of pricey, but worth it.
(5)
Greg F.

I'm originally from KC, and the best way that I can put this is as follows: If I lived in KC and this place were there, I'd go occasionally (due to there being an onslaught of amazing bbq places there). Being that I live here (where people knowing what to do with meat and a grill and smoker and sauce is a bit of a rarity), I'm a huge fan. Not only was I a little teary-eyed at all of the Kansas City memorabilia, but thankfully it's not just a shrine to the Chiefs, but to the greatness of KC bbq as well. I think they represent pretty well. I got the KC platter, which included some great, smoky short ribs, and a ton of tender brisket that fell off the fork. All of their sauces are pretty on point (although the spicy sauce was a little tame for me). Their baked beans were every bit as good as my mom's (which are about the only baked beans that I really like). The prices were a bit much (bbq should never really be more than 10 bucks for a huge plate, IMHO), but the flavors were worth it to me. The only thing that could've made it a 5 star experience would be to have some Boulevard Wheat on tap. Also, it's just not a BBQ joint if you don't walk out smelling like smoked meats, and sure enough, I had the stank on me for a good few hours after leaving. Highly recommended for any native Northwesterners who want some true Midwestern BBQ.
(4)
Tim H.

The Stan's is the best BBQ joint around these parts-- which isnt saying too much, because lets me honest-- when you think of seattle, eastside and issy, you dont think black people and you dont think BBQ. Stan and his clan are as white as they come, but the channel the southern brother like no one else in this state and it comes alive in their plate of glorious BBQ. I think the most remarkable thing on the menu is the chicken. Why Chicken? Well, Chicken is a tough thing to BBQ correctly-- get it most places, even in the deep south and it is usually dry and disappointing. Not so from these folks. The chicken is soft and tender and smoked nicely.. but chicken isnt my bag at a BBQ joint.. For me, a place either does a brisket of a piggy well. This place nails both, but if I had to choose (and you never do) the brisket is award winning. They nail it everytime. Thick, delicious slabs, not sauced-- makes me want one right now, at 10:30 in the morning. The only thing I dont like about Stans is their sides-- the salads taste like they were bought at safeway-- they could do so much better than that. Seriously dissapointing-- but you dont come here for the tater salad.
(4)
Sarah C.

Stan's got raving reviews so I walked in with pretty high expectations and was pretty disappointed. Don't get me wrong...it wasn't bad, just didn't knock my socks off. The waitress recommended the Who's Your Daddy? combo...said it was for two. Two giant football players after a 5 hr workout, maybe? It comes with 3 ribs, 1/2 lb beef brisket, 1/2 lb pulled pork, 2 links, and 2 sides. I think it'd be enough for 3-4 normal human beings. My favorite was the ribs...the pork and hot link were ok and I didn't care much for the beef brisket and the other sausage we sampled. The sides were good as was the service. All in all, I might go back but I'd just order the ribs.
(3)
Aaron E.

January 6, 2009 will go down in history as the day with the worst traffic. Ever. I kid you not. It took me a little less than 3 hours to get from Bellevue to Ballard. Not cool. The one thing that made the drive tolerable was the fact that I was travelling with a plate piled high with ribs, pulled pork, more ribs, ham and some sausages. Oh, and I also had about 30 wings. Even though I wasn't hungry (I did after all gorge myself on Stan's at lunch) I was bored, frustrated and just wanted to get home so I decided to break into my plates of goodies and ended up making a big ol' mess of myself. Mess might be an understatement as my steering wheel was covered in BBQ sauce and I used my slacks and shirt as napkins (I was after all wearing dark colored clothing). Rewind 6 hours or so: One of the divisions of the company I work for was kind enough to get takeout for the entire office from Stan's. I'm not sure I've ever seen anything so glorious! Take out containers labeled: 90 Wings, 8 lbs of Beef Brisket, 10 lbs pulled pork! Oh what a gorgeous sight! From the second those containers came through the door our office was filled with the distinct aroma of smokey, tender meat. I know little about BBQ, but I know enough to know that I know what good, smokey meat is. I know, right? Crazy. My first trip to the meat counter was sort of a grab-whatever-you-can-before-it's-gone type of trip. The ribs were tender and practically fell off the bone, the ham was sliced thickly and was oh so juicy, the sausages were perfectly charred on the outside, the wings were plentiful and moist and then there was the pulled pork. Le Sigh. SO DARN GOOD! It was the best pulled pork I've ever had. It was shredded perfectly. Moist without being mushy and soggy like I find so much pulled pork to be (or even worse, bone dry!). I slightly embarrassed myself by going through 2 of the pulled pork sandwiches in addition to the pile of other meat items I had. As far as the actual sauce goes, I was a big fan of mixing the spicy and sweet. The mild was just... meh, and the spicy and sweet were decent by themselves, but so much better combined. While the copious amount of food we had diminished ridiculously quickly there was still a ton of leftovers and I was more than happy to make myself a plate of food for later on. I was even happier when the person in charge of ordering all this glorious food told me to take all the wings home =) You made me happy Stan's! You made my 3 hour drive home more tolerable and you filled my stomach with delicious, tasty, finger licking good food! You're certainly my favorite BBQ establishment in Seattle!
(4)
Aly M.

After waiting a while to finally get food from here, we made it in on my last day in my summer visit. We got a few different kinds, but neither one of us were impressed. It was dry and didn't interest us in a return visit. n Maybe it's just not our style, but we won't be back.
(2)
Scott M.

Staff is friendly the place is comfortable, and feels great minus the sports memorabilia on the wall kinda tacky and takes away from the awesome bbq pictures and overall feel . Ordered a" who's your daddy sampler" and tried to add a piece of smoked turkey to it" willing to payy more" they were not cool with it. They need a sampler with a little of everything.. I love BBQ and this place is okay. All the meat tasted like it was smoked a few days ago and had just been sitting in the foil. Brisket was cooked well but then had sat so long it was flavorless and falling apart more than from cooking it. There was not much flavor to any of the meat, they really need a traditional smoker and some good wood! It fits the typical Seattle style bbq, with the exception of the sausage! It was great! If your in the area stop in and give it a whirl the staff was great to bad the BBQ wasnt as good!
(3)
Oliver P.

Probably more like a 3.5 but I'll give it the 4 as it is definitely not a 3 star joint! The food gets a 4...very good pulled pork and brisket! The turkey is solid as is the links...the ribs were rather dry and tasteless. I agree with some other people...the sides could be a bit better and it is crazy that all they have is 1 plate! a small styrofoam plate...you can't even get a larger styrofoam plate if you want....one small size...kinda wierd. I'll continue to go back though as the food is good...
(4)
Beau R.

Stan's is some of the best BBQ I've had. When I saw Michelle's review, I just had to write about it. I had driven by Stan's several times and decided that I would go there for a business lunch. I had lunch there with my out of town visitor and like it so much, I took my family there for dinner. My kids have really gotten into the ribs (reasonably priced for kids meals) and my daughter can strip them clean. The service is friendly, you are always welcomed as you walk in the door. I've never partaken (I always get drawn into the local micro brews), but they have a well stocked bar. The menu has a nice mix of hot links, ribs, brisket, pulled pork, BBQ chicken and several mix and match plates, as well as some sandwiches which are served on a bun or with a slice of white bread. They say that they have really good creamed corn - I'm corny, but not a corn person, and I can't really get into it. But my wife, really likes their corn. This is a great place to eat in downtown Issaquah when you're jonesing for some meat.
(5)
Madi T.

After a long day of hiking my brother and i stopped in here hoping for an amazing BBQ. What we got was better- Great service with friendly waiters (but if ur not from the area, dont dress up they hate the fancies) Best pulled pork and beef brisket i've ever had My brother got ribs with sweet sauce and devoured them in an instant This is the best BBQ i've ever had and if I lived here I'd be broke and very very chubby.
(4)
Martin G.

Solid barbecue joint. I keep going back.
(5)
Katy B.

We went here on a double date when the wait at Jak's Grill was 1 hour. On a Wednesday night! I was craving smoked turkey, but they had run out. The waiter was very apologetic, and I ended up getting pulled pork. I'm guessing that they season everything with the same kind of dry rub / house seasoning because everything has a little kick to it. I like spicy foods but I could see how if you didn't, it could be a problem. My friend got the half chicken - she said it was great. Her husband got ribs and he enjoyed them. My hungry boyfriend got the ridiculous Who's Your Daddy combo.. naturally. We all thought it was great - smoky and flavorful meat, sauce on the side. Oh and a full bar if you're interested!
(4)
kristin m.

We are from Texas and have been looking for a good local bbq place. Stan's is it! The ribs, chicken wings and brisket is delicious!!! Highly recommend!! Service is great too.
(5)

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Address : 58 Front St
Issaquah, WA, 98027
Phone (425) 392-4551
Website https://www.stansbarbq.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Music : Live
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Fri, Sat, Sun
Coat Check : No
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

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Stan’s BBQ

58 Front St, Issaquah, WA, 98027

Stan’s BBQ Menu

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