I will start out by saying we got there at 7:50 and they closed at 8:30. This is the first barbecue restaurant I have been to where the portions are small but that is ok since the food was mediocre. I ordered smoked turkey and salad. It came with beans that were inedible. The sauce was on the side and was just ok. The waitress was nice but definitely wanted us out on time. Not very good and I would not return.
Caro H.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Tulelake, CA
Pretty good. Coleslaw was a bit old but the BBQ had a bbq rind on it, something you should definitely look for in BBQ.
Bryan E.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Seminole, TX
Everytime I’ve stopped in for a bite to eat my experience has been great! The food is remarkable and their own brand of Bar-B-Q is some good stuff. You won’t be disappointed giving this place a try!
Alexander J.
Rating des Ortes: 2 Olympia, WA
Disappointing menu. Over-priced entrees and domestic beers. Beware of the Chop Mix. The only saving grace was the venue; though it is small inside, parking and location are good.
Karen M.
Rating des Ortes: 5 San Angelo, TX
Had been recommended by someone, especially their cobbler. We stopped for dessert upon arriving in town and it didn’t disappoint! Huge portion of cobbler and ice cream for less than $ 5, and both peach and apple were delicious! It’s big enough to share. Hope to visit again to try the dinner items.
Randi M.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Bradenton, FL
A big disappointment. Ordered the brisket, was served on the cold side. Meat was not meltingly tender. Pinto beans could also have been hotter. Flavor was a little bland. This was not nearly as good as Texas barbecue. service was good, server was attentive. I would not go back
LD G.
Rating des Ortes: 1 Midland, TX
This place was really busy last nite, waited over 30 minutes for brisket, wife had turkey, it finally came, it was cold. Asked for some hot French fries, brought some to the table, no excuse for cold BBQ — won’t be back to this place. Don’t waste your$$$$$
Jess P.
Rating des Ortes: 2 Stone Mountain, GA
Eh. The décor is really interesting! The food, ok, maybe it’s my fault because I tried to be adventurous and get the mixed plate, which promises brisket, pork and turkey mixed together. I didn’t know it would all ACTUALLY be ground together into one dog food-like scoop on my plate. And then it was held together with barbecue sauce. It just tasted kinda gross and I didn’t like the texture. I should have just ordered brisket or turkey by itself. The hushpuppies were little finger-shaped things, not the delicious round balls of goodness I’m used to. Pinto beans, a Texas BBQ staple, were just… pinto beans. The fried okra was good. Sweet tea was good. I didn’t want to give 1 star because maybe I would have liked one of the meats by itself, who knows? My bf didn’t like his pulled pork much either; too fatty. :/
Sarah F.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Houston, TX
I was surprised by the lack of dining options in Carlsbad overall. The Red Chimney had friendly table service and a charming, western atmosphere. I ordered the brisket platter with a Fat Tire beer, and my boyfriend ordered the sausage platter. I was hungry after a day of hiking, and the food was certainly OK.(I am from Texas and have fairly high standards for BBQ.) There was one piece of brisket that was inedible because it was raw inside, but in a strange way, almost looked like red dye. The side green salad with homemade ranch was crisp and fresh, and the rolls were good, too. We were a party of 2 on a weekend evening and were seated immediately. One larger party did walk in and had to wait for a table, but I noticed that the staff was very accommodating to everyone.
Dave D.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Albuquerque, NM
Brisket sandwich and fried okra on the side. The place was 30 minutes from closing, but that didn’t seem to phase the service at all. We were a party of 8 on a Friday night and they seated us quickly and got our orders to us rapidly. The brisket was well smoked and the flavor melded well with the BBQ sauce on the table. The buns were buttered and soft. The fried okra was a little greasy, but still edible. Other than the dead animals all over the room, the place has a nice log cabin vibe. It used to be pay at the counter, but they’ve recently changed that to pay the waitress. Just a heads up to anybody that’s eaten here before, but not recently.
Cherie T.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Oceanside, CA
That was some gooooooooood BBQ! Great dinner and dessert after a long day at the caverns. Service was terrific too, very friendly and attentive. These former Kansas City residents were not disappointed! You know we’ll be back if we ever pass through this way again.
Melissa Z.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Palm Desert, CA
Great Place! Everything is Homemade! Only bad thing about this place, if I have to say something bad would be that they are closed on the weekends. Owner stopped by our table to check on things… which is a class act move. Service Friendly. My guests had the Catfish, Ham & Hot Links… everyone enjoyed everything. Also we had Meomi Pinot Noir & Charles Krug Sauvignon Blanc which were both Fabulous!
Krysia K.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Brandon, FL
We were on vacation and stopped here for dinner. This place was interesting. The décor is relaxing and was a mix of country with native wildlife. As you walk into the restaurant, the atmosphere reminded you of a home cooking. Service was good. Food was good but nothing extraordinary. It is OK food at fair prices.
Adam L.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Burbank, CA
I stopped here with my wife and parents on our most recent road trip out to New Mexico. The food here was fantastic and I was impressed with their wait staff. Definitely a worthy option please consider.
Richard C.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Schertz, TX
I am used to good old fashioned Texas barbecue so I may be a little biased. However, the Red Chimney was actually pretty good. I ordered the turkey plate and a side of sausage. The turkey was good and flavorful. Didn’t really have a smoky flavor at all though. The sausage was actually two hot dog weenie type hot links. They were good though but not really what I was expecting coming from Texas where you get the best sausage in the country. All the sides were very good. The cole slaw and the beans were very tasty. I was a little disappointed with the dessert selection as all they had was cobbler. I’m not much of a cobbler guy. I was looking more for banana pudding or pecan pie(things you find in a Texas BBQ joint). All in all the food was pretty good and a sufficient barbecue fix. Will come back next time I’m in town.
Stevie A.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Fillmore, CA
Dropped in after visiting the Caverns, and wanted to try something local. We arrived 2 minutes before closing lunch service and they were willing to serve us(not used to that, but a big plus). I am awfully picky when it comes to BBQ; I think good BBQ needs to have a smoked flavor, and taste great independently of sauce. Red Chimney did not disappoint. BBQ was delicious. We had the pork and brisket, both very good. The BBQ sauce was more of a mustard-base in the same vein as Carolina Gold BBQ(another big plus), tangy and sweet, and complemented the meat very well. Side dishes were so-so, but who cares? Waitresses were courteous and helpful, and the restaurant itself had a nice comfortable charm. In my opinion, they are doing everything right. Thumbs up from a Southern California Out-of-Towner.
Kurt W.
Rating des Ortes: 1 San Antonio, TX
Everybody’s experience is different, but went here on April 4th, 2014 for lunch and ordered the pork sandwich. At about midnight I was throwing my guts up all night as the pork was not cooked properly. I had not eaten anything else that day and you could easily tell it was the sandwich coming up. I haven’t been so sick for as long as I can remember. Still a little nauseous today with a headache. I will not eat here again, I recommend Danny’s place.
Walter W.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Albuquerque, NM
I had to skip town and get away for a few days so I headed down to Carlsbad and got myself checked in at the Super 8 motel. I was starving so I asked the Indian gentleman(dot not feathers) at the front desk if there was any good BBQ in town. Then I used my trusty Unilocal app to find it and soon I was there. I thought about doing the take out deal at the window but then I noticed the beer sign in the window and after a long day on the road a couple of cold ones to unwind with sounded pretty refreshing. Cool place too, kind of like an old hunting lodge with its wood interior and stuffed heads hanging from the walls. Country ketch with mountain man charm. Casual and laidback. The sweet server Jill? brought me the first of many cold Budweiser’s as I went into unwind mode. Soon my brisket and ribs arrived with fries and my third beer. Cheers I toasted the waitress as my buzz was kicking in. I took a stab at the brisket first and it had a nice smoked flavor and was pretty tender too. Went so perfect with my beer that I was waiving for another in short order! The ribs were exactly how I like them, real smoked bones! None of the oven baked crap that some places try and sell you but the real deal with an honest to god smoke ring and some nice bark and a little tug to the bite. Add that sweet BBQ sauce and another beer and I’m in hog heaven. Didn’t take me long to finish my plate. I ordered the apple cobbler and another beer for desert. «A beer the waitress asked?» Ok you better make it two! Love the family run charm this place has. Damm that was some TASTY cobbler, and the COLD beer here ain’t too bad either I told the cashier as I settled up and stumbled out. At this point I was pretty buzzed, but by the time I made it back to motel I was drunk! They have a great pool at the motel for skinny dipping with the owners daughter but that’s another review… I highly recommend The Red Chimney BBQ. Look for the pig in the window.
Jessica P.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Valley Center, CA
The ribs, brisket and fried okra were very delicious. We waited 2 ½ hours to eat here! Many eateries in Carlsbad have random hours. We missed the lunchtime window and came back when they opened for dinner. Worth the wait!
Jeremy H.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Oklahoma City, OK
Upon my arrival I was promptly seated and given a drink. Service was attentive and quick. I enjoyed my sweet tea while awaiting my 3 choice platter with brisket, sausage and ham. 10 minutes later my plate arrived with a side plate of toasted buns and bbq sauce. The meat seemed a bit dry at first glance, but a quick dosing of bbq cured it. The«sausage link» was a little small compared to other bbq places I have attended and was little more than a sausage dog rather than a true Link. The rest of the meal was quite good and if you are looking for bbq in Carlsbad, this appears to be the place.