Lee’s & Dee’s Barbeque Express

This business closed last weekend.

Drove by and had to turn around to check it out. So glad I did, service was beyond good and the food was amazing. Had the catfish and immediately went into some happy sort of shock. I am skeptical about catfish as it is normally horrible at places around here but theirs was perfect. Will be coming back often!

Think I used Unilocal once before, don’t plan to in the future. I did download and sign up just to give these guys 5 stars and express how shocked at am at how insanely amazing their catfish was. My god. Highly highly recommend. And the service was amazing as well.

Remember this is about food, not décor. Go!
Good southern style food and KC’ish style BBQ in my old neighborhood. It’s a crime I didn’t find this place a couple years ago. I have been back 3 times since saving a draft of this review on my phone and forgetting about it.
Went with my brother, and a friend who had just moved up from New Orleans. He said he loved that it felt like a dive, but tasted amazing. I couldn’t agree more. The slightly shabby exterior keeps this jewel feeling like a hidden treasure.
The dining room is small, so don’t bring a huge group unless you plan on eating outside.
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Note, they only take cash (says the sign on the paper next to the register), and the nearest ATM is at the corner store in the same building. That store is sketchy, and the ATM is sometimes broken.
*edited for spelling*

Ok. I have been on a quest to check out all the better rated BBQ places in the TC.
Tonight I finally went to Lee & Dee’s.
Overall it was OK. I ordered the smoky links, hot wings, and ribs.
Smokey links were very tasty-​even better with the hot sauce.
Chicken wings were also very tasty– would order again.
Now to the ribs. Sorry but they were disappointing on three levels: smoke, seasoning, and tenderness.
No visible smoke ring and no good smokey flavor. They need to cook their ribs to at least 190 internal temp. These were chewy
and just not done.
These ribs also needed more seasoning– pretty bland.
Also they sauce them pretty heavily (which I knew going in) and that’s not my thing. Prefer dry ribs– if they need a lot of sauce then that’s a problem.
So far Big Daddy’s BBQ is in the lead.
Onward

If Frank Underwood needed to murder and/​or sleep with a political reporter from the Pioneer Press, he would eat here before and after the task. Don’t let the plywood fool you, it’s still open and thriving. It’s a dive inside with dated décor, but it’s sincere, well-​lit, clean, and family friendly. I choose to sit in the elevated window booths that you have to step over a giant radiator to access.
Oh, and the food. The food is great. The rib tips were a bit chewy/​fatty for my taste, but the catfish, ribs, and dry rub chicken wings are super. I concur with other Unilocalers who suggest the Texas platter.
I lived up the block from this place last year and noticed that it’s particularly bumpin’ with business Friday and Saturday nights, with a lot of people ordering take out.
If you want to smell like nag champa until your next shower, there’s an ATM around the corner, inside Vas Market. Otherwise bring cash, no cards accepted.

I drove past this place a few weeks ago and was immediately intrigued by how much of a dive it looked like. A few of the windows are boarded up and there is green spray paint across them which says Open. To me, the worse a place looks on the outside, the better the food is going to be.
Upon entering, I’m immediately greeted by the woman behind the register. She asked me what I was in the mood for, and I said, ribs for sure, and she recommended the tips. I ordered and realized it was cash only, but she politely told me the corner store had an ATM. I got my cash and came back to my order finished. The tips were divine. Will most certainly recommend this place to anyone looking for some fantastic soul food.

I believe this place is under new ownership. That is the only plausible reason that my experience can be so wildly different from other reviewers.
The Food: I ordered a Rib Tip basket and a Texas Sampler basket as takeout. The ribs were rather tough and not sauced well. The ribs and rib tips were bland. The chicken wings did not have any discernible seasoning or sauce. The catfish was very crispy. The order did not come with any toast, tartar sauce or hot sauce.
The Service: Awful. The restaurant was noticeably dirty. The woman at the counter made me wait several minutes to order, while she finished a personal phone call. When I ordered, I was told that the specials advertised on large signs in the windows were only available on Tuesday and Thursday — despite no indication on the signs. Several items (such as beef ribs) were crossed off the menu.
Despite the credit card symbols on the door, this place is cash only. When I ordered, I was asked to pay about $ 5 more than the prices listed on the menu. When I questioned this, the woman said that her sister had just taken over and changed the pricing, but not gotten the menu or signs changed. I pointed out that they had the same prices in dry erase marker on a whiteboard over the register. When I suggested that they should honor the prices advertised until they got the signs and menus changed, the woman acted like that was a new concept.
I cannot in good conscience recommend this place. There are much better BBQ restaurants within a mile. The new owners appear to have taken a neighborhood institution and driven it right into the ground. I expect they’ll be out of business within a year.

Love the ribs and the wings (with buffalo sauce). Good prices. The slaw is pretty standard, but I love the beans. Some places drown their beans in bbq sauce, making them to sweet and syrupy. Here the beans are very plain but still slow-​cooked and taste great. Plus you are supporting a small family-​owned business. I try to make it here once a week.

I tried the Texas platter, it was great. Generous serving of catfish, chicken wings and ribs were great, so was the cole slaw. The beans were a little bland. I will definitely go back soon.

Awesome ribs, beautifully seasoned chicken wings, and scrumptious sides (we had beans, slaw, and greens). We will definitely be back! It’s a tiny hole-​in-​the-​wall, but don’t let that stop you. Service is friendly and helpful. They’ve been around for 24 years and we now know why!

Lee’s & Dee’s can be good, or it can be pretty mediocre. For the sake of efficiency (and sloth) going to go with bullet points:
GOOD
— Catfish. Generous fillets of catfish in a tasty batter and not at all greasy.
— Prices are reasonable, especially some of the specials they post on the small bulletin board next to the counter where you order.
IT DEPENDS
— Ribs. They slow cook their ribs here, and when they’re good, they’re good and very tender. However, they’re not always consistent and their sauce is pretty run-​of-​the-​mill BBQ.
MEH
— From the beans, the slaw to the fries there’s nothing really noteworthy here. Not terrible, but nothing has ever come across as more than filler.
Overall, Lee’s & Dee’s is a pretty good spot for takeout, though it’ll usually just be for the catfish for me.

One of the best places in the Twin Cities for cat fish. I normally get the Texas platter which is a fried catfish fillet two pieces of fried chicken and two ribs.
The catfish is wonderful. Perfectly seasoned with a crispy batter.
The chicken wings are dried rubbed and even though it’s deep fried is not at all greasy.
The only slight let down is the ribs. They are perfectly cooked and tender with a nicely balanced sauce. I just find them a little bland.

I guess I may have no idea what great BBQ is, but I just enjoyed my dinner but won’t be bragging to anyone about it’s superb-​ness.
It’s a true hole in the wall. I got take out, was out the door within 3 minutes of walking in with my food.
Amazingly cheap.
I wouldn’t discourage you from going. But also won’t be recommending it.

Had the ribs and they were great! Fall off the bone and you can taste the love that went into it. The sauce is not too overpowering but still gives you that true smoky BBQ flavor. It’s not watered down and runny, so be ready to lick your fingers for a while. A true sign of good BBQ.
I’ve always loved Mom & Pop shops, and this is a true gem. I know I will be going back to try everything else. Nothing fancy, just good cooking and great prices. The best place to get your BBQ fix.

Thanks to a fellow Unilocalers review and being too lazy to cook I looked for some BBQ places and stumbled across this place which is so close to me!
It’s sad, but I have never noticed this place until tonight.
I agree with everyone else. Some of the most tender ribs I have ever had in my life and the BBQ sauce wasn’t bad. I’m picky when it comes to BBQ sauce. This was subtle and not overpowering.
Fries are seasoned and the crinkle cuts.
Spicy hot wings were a tad pink inside. Not a good time there. Yuck! That one had to get tossed. Will probably have to throw the other wing mates in the oven to make sure they are done.
Lee the owner is a nice guy and fun to chat with. He asked me if I drove a Hummer which I don’t. Guess I have a twin somewhere out there driving around in a Hummer.
The little bench and table above the radiator are not secured down. I almost flipped out of it and on to the big radiator.
Very decent prices and very decent friendly service.
Cash only!

I FINALLY tried this place!
Yes to gravy on rice — OMG.
Crisp yummy chicken wings.
Excellent cornbread.
Lee and Dee… please put some beef on your menu. This girl doesn’t eat piggy.
Thank you!

For seven bucks I got a 3 rib special with slaw and beans. Tender as hell ribs, and glad I could get a mini serving. Didn’t care for the sides even though they were homemade. I met the owner, and he brought out my take out in no more than 5 minutes. I gots to try the catfish.

A little place that has a loyal, local following. A deal for lunch. There’s better BBQ, elsewhere, but it’s acceptable. They have a takeout business, too.
Our Diving Team picked Lee’s and Dee’s at the recommendation of someone who lives in the area. I had the ‘rib tips’ and fries for $ 7.95. The meat was okay — I can cook better myself — but fine enough for a lunch with friends. The ribs were not «fall of the bone» tender, but they weren’t tough. They could have used another hour of slow cooking. Fries were good. There was no iced tea.
The fried catfish is JUST LIKE my Texas father-in-law’s. I’ve not seen that anywhere else in the area.
The owner, Lee, made every effort to pay attention to us, checking in often. I appreciated that. No doubt the majority of the high Unilocal rating comes from the owners’ customer service.

When you hear «fall off the bones» you need go no further than Lee’s & Dee’s. My guess is that the ribs get a good and long simmer in sauce before they go on the grill where they get a perfect finish. And… the ribs were really meaty.
The sides of beans and slaw were good. Nothing to write home about, but good.
I’ve been going by this place for well over a decade. I’m glad I finally walked over and gave them a try. I’ll be back for the rib-​tips soon.