Eli's Barbeque Reviews

This is the best restaurant in cincinnati, hands down. The lost art of fine dine has been brought to life here at Orchids. The menu is so creative and you will be able to try some very hard to come by dishes. Love love love this place. Try the five course option, $75 and you will walk out feeling like you just had a total food adventure! The ambiance of the restaurant is not to be dismissed as ordinary. One of the most beautiful spaces in cincinnati! Pere, our server, was knowledgeable and attentive. Another great experience! Thank you Orchids!

Really good BBQ. It has a very unorthodox environment and ordering system. So bring some patience along. The food was good but not quite up to the hype of what I'd been hearing. I went on a beautiful summer day and really enjoyed the outdoor seating they provided. Overall I would say it is a great place to try once and maybe come back if it isn't out of your way. Would recommend at least one visit.

Great food. Came out to show appreciation for your reaching out during the protest. Peggy H

Great food. A little pricy but u pay for what you get.

Great food. You have to stop and try some. I had the tips and it was out of this world.

I've only been here once but everything was disappointingly average. I love pulled pork, but it didn't strike me as being worth the huge wait and the crowd. Maybe I set my expectations too high because of the reviews.
On the bright side, the side choices were solid, and everyone sitting around picnic tables was a relaxing scene.
Overall, I couldn't find anything special about the food or the service here that would bring me back, but maybe I'll try for a day when it's not as busy. Or get takeout.

An absolute must. Pork only, no beef. Everything is excellent but the hot dogs extra dirty are my favorite. Try one of everything, the prices are very reasonable.

Proven winner. Every time it's delicious! And super nice new outdoor seating.

Hands down, the best ribs I've ever had, and some of the best mac n cheese and coleslaw

Eli's is the best BBQ in Cincinnati. Try the jalapeno cheddar grits. BYOB.

Everything is great! The smoked turkey is probably my favorite but everything really is good. I've even eaten there since being vegetarian and just getting all the sides (which may bace meat in the cooking process, I'm not talking strict vegetarian it is a BBQ place after all) is good and mixing and marching beans, corn bread, Mac and cheese, and all the rest was a great way to try lots of things. Always a great way to open a few beers and enjoy the evening!

Was driving home from vacation in the south stopped in on a whim. Pulled pork dryer then expected and only have 1 kind of sause. Sides were average, Mac and cheese tasted like Velveeta cheese.
Restrooms were strange. Being out of towners, boyfriend saw the sign for bathroom and went in. However a female walked in the bathroom to his surprise. No where did it say to lock lock the main door that lead to the bathroom area.
Seating outside was nice. Found better bathrooms outside.

What a great stop for lunch- I had the bbq pork sandwich that is a large portion and the bun and pork has a bit of a crunch to it which adds nice character. The two sides I chise were the baked beans and jalapeno cornbread and they were both good.
Worth a visit and ill be back soon to try the ribs and wings

I like their actual BBQ but the sides are definitely not worth it!!

Excellent BBQ. Also like the Jelapeno Cheese Grits & Macaroni & Cheese.

Not really sure why this place is so highly rated. The meat is decent, and it's a nice environment, but the side dishes are pretty terrible. I couldn't finish eating the slaw or jalapeno cornbread. If you go here, pack your own sides.

Food was really good! Rib tips a tad bit dry but love the seasoning on them!

They know how to make some seriously solid BBQ. Always a place we eat at when we visit. Their wings are so flavorful and not dried out

Great food.
Perfect social distancing.
Good prices

I've only had the pulled pork and jalapeano grits, but it is among the best I've had in all of Cincinnati! I'm from the South and they definitely do grits right! Also, their outside seating arrangement is wonderful to enjoy some food with friends on a sunny day. NOTE: limited parking. You'll probably have to park on the street, but it's free

Great food always wait time can get crazy however byob and good company summertime is great there.

Good hometown BBQ. Relaxing and enjoyable food. You have to try it!!

A Cincinnati MUST great food just a really cool spot

Perfect spot for lunch sitting on the patio with delicious sides.

One of the best BBQ joints in town. Great outdoor seating. Call your order in even if you plan on eating there; you'll skip the typical long lines.

I had 12 orgasms because of the excellent service and BBQ. Not 11, not 13 but 12 Big O"s!

Best BBQ I have ever had and the cole slaw is actually amazing (I do not usually care for cole slaw)

Hole in the wall place our son took us to. Awesome BBQ. Hard to find no sign on the building, not great parking but worth the inconvenience.

Great barbeque! Kind of a confusing ordering system, but good overall.

Can t go wrong eating the pulled pork and slaw here

I find the BBQ to be good but nothing amazing. The atmosphere of the Kellog location is excellent on a nice summer day. I highly recommend the Loaded Dogs, baked beans and dirty mashed potatos. The mac n cheese is a disappointment. I also wish they had chicken.

The food, outside seating,a great place to meet up with friends& family

Almost always busy and absolutely worth the wait!!! Some of if not the best BBQ I've ever had!! Highly recommend pulled pork Mac and cheese cheesy grits the turkey and briskit. Also really like that they are no longer cash only. Also like that if you so desire it's BYOB!

EXCELLENT food! The ribs were so so good!!! And so were the pulled pork! The sides were excellent too. The jalapenos grits needs a special mention!!!

Not a bad thing on the menu. Smoked Turkey is very tender, pulled pork is awesome, all of the sides are killer. Really consistent food for how busy they stay. Parking is sometimes a hassle when it's really busy, but that's only once in a while. Worth going if you're from out of town or a local.

I can't eat pulled pork anywhere else now because nothing compares to Eli's!

Great place for BBQ and BYOB on the east side of the city. Also a great caterer of city events.

Great food at a great price. And in the summer they have line entertainment which adds to the experience. When you see the sign with the pig, know that great BBQ is in your future.

Been here many times an the food is always great.its a little cramped on the inside if you go at dinner .music is at the right setting so you can enjoy your food an have a conversation too without shouting which is hard to do at most restaurants.

Eli's is great for social gatherings and great BBQ. They have a limited menu, which allows them to focus and do what they do well. I always get the smoked turkey sandwich and beef hot dogs, since I'm not a big pork eater. My wife always says, aren't you going to order a vegetable and I always tell her both come topped with Cole slaw. These offerings always hit the spot.

Very happy with my visit. Really good food, if you're a first-time visitor try the pulled pork. I got Mac and cheese and baked beans as a side, and both where excellent. They have outside and inside seating both are comfortable and fun

Reasonably priced. Pulled pork was little salty for my taste but sides were great.

Found this place by searching on Google and what a find it was. Here from out of town and wow, I can't say much else that everything was delicious. We had; ribs, mashed potatoes, Mac and cheese and baked beans. Food was perfectly cooked and tasted great. If I'm ever in the Cincinnati area again I'll be sure to stop by again.

The BBQ is hands down the best in Cincinnati. Hebce there is always a line. Ain for just before peak hours to enjoy top class BBQ.

i`would give minus 5. ordered 4 bones gor $11 and waited 2 hrs to get.
the bone is about a finger size with non fresh dried meat. mac nugget would make u full and taste better and much cheaper.

horribly over priced and pulled pork burger is way salty. small cole slaw is $2.50.

i dont understand why this place has a good review. save ur money.

Didn't like the mac, beans or ribs The prices are way too high. I'll stick with City bbq.

Loved it this place has really good food and good people the staff was very friendly and the place was awesome

Its a good simple BBQ place with a nice big outdoor dining are. The parking lot is behind the building but you have to walk up to Riverside to enter. Then you can only exit back another door. Its an odd layout. There is a nice picnic area off to the side.

Great BBQ in a very casual spot. Bring a cooler with your favorite beverage. Food is awesome!

I stopped here on my first trip to Cincinnati and food was not bad. However the establishment could use a remodel and cleaning. Dirty old tables & chairs, floor was in need of a good cleaning and bathroom cleaning seemed an afterthought. The owners should put a little more money in their establishment presentation so customers are not in doubt that the kitchen is as neglected as the customer areas.

Great food. Only negative wait time and small inside but food well worth it.

If you haven't been here drop everything right now and run! This place is the best BBQ in the tri-state hands down. They BBQ sandwich or the Turkey are the best things on the menu. You might as well order all the sides too. Bring your own beer or wine and sit out side while enjoying a bite of heaven. Seriously go there now!

Eli's is great. Some of the best I have ever had.

Very good bbq. Rib tips and chicken wings are killer crispy and tender. Sides are amazing too. BYOB

Exactly what one should expect from a divey little hole-the-wall bbq joint in the best possible way. Long wait but well worth it. Ribs are perfectly smoked and seasoned and tender. A sweet/spicy sauce is served on the side, as it should be. Sides are typical but definitely a notch or two above typical chain style Q joints. Don't miss this hidden gem.

Some of the best Barbecue in Cincinnati! I recommend you get your sides "Dirty"

This visit is an absolute must! If you're anywhere in the United States of America, go to Eli's!

Best pulled pork sandwich I ve had in my life I think. It s not like most places that just give pork that s straight from a bowl. These guys cook it again so it s charred. Thank you so much. I m here from AZ on a work trip.

Laid back environment, could maybe use some live music, or extra seating. But either way, I will go back.

Great ribs, and sauce. Beans are modified bushes baked beans.

Good BBQ at a good price. I'm glad they added to the outdoor seating also. Much more comfortable. Busy at times so plan ahead.

It was good but I was expecting way better. I guess because of all th hype.

Outstanding BBQ and I do mean outstanding, as in no matter the time of day you will be out standing waiting on the line, the food is just plain old amazing.