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✔️Brunch ✔️Lunch ✔️Dinner ✔️Dine in ✔️Take out ✔️Delivery
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Down-home stop for smoked meat with Memphis-, Texas- & Carolina-style sauces & comfort-food sides.
Hours
| Thursday | 11 AM–9 PM |
| Friday | 11 AM–10 PM |
| Saturday | 11 AM–10 PM |
| Sunday | 11 AM–9 PM |
| Monday | 11 AM–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 11 AM–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 11 AM–9 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 4020 Georgetown Rd, Lexington, KY 40511
Phone: (859) 927-8991
Website: https://www.redstatebbq.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Order: Order online
Photo Gallery
Related Web Results
Barbecue Restaurant | Red State BBQ | Lexington, KY
Enjoy award-winning BBQ & catering options. Visit us for delicious smoked meats! Lexington, KY.
BBQ Menu | Lexington, KY – Red State BBQ
Serving the Central Kentucky area. Red State BBQ specializes in Southern barbecue meals and catering. Lexington’s only multi-award winning roadside BBQ joint.
About | Red State BBQ | Lexington, KY
Red State BBQ offers award-winning barbecue meals and catering to the Lexington, KY area. Year Established. 2010. Products. BBQ Pulled Pork; Pulled Chicken …
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Reviews
Mike Stickler
Red State BBQ was a delightful surprise. The ribs and double-smoked brisket were simply divine. The meat was perfectly balanced in texture, moisture, and flavor before the sauce was added.
Each table was adorned with a variety of sauces, each with its own distinct flavor profile. My top three were the South Carolina sauce, Yuletide smoke and spice, and Alabama white sauce. The South Carolina sauce had a taste reminiscent of the Midlands or Low Country region, but with a superior quality.
I paired my meal with corn pudding and smoked baked beans, both of which were excellent choices.
The owner was incredibly approachable and made for a great conversation. The dining room had a unique and cozy atmosphere, with the right amount of noise to keep the ambiance lively without being overwhelming. It’s a place where you can enjoy great food without feeling like you’re in a noisy restaurant.
I will be back for sure!
… moreEach table was adorned with a variety of sauces, each with its own distinct flavor profile. My top three were the South Carolina sauce, Yuletide smoke and spice, and Alabama white sauce. The South Carolina sauce had a taste reminiscent of the Midlands or Low Country region, but with a superior quality.
I paired my meal with corn pudding and smoked baked beans, both of which were excellent choices.
The owner was incredibly approachable and made for a great conversation. The dining room had a unique and cozy atmosphere, with the right amount of noise to keep the ambiance lively without being overwhelming. It’s a place where you can enjoy great food without feeling like you’re in a noisy restaurant.
I will be back for sure!
Jenn Danns6
We really enjoyed Red State. When arrived at peak lunch time the line was long but service was fast! Our sides were amazing! We also got the fried pickles and they were delicious with the sauce. Would definitely come back the next time we are in Lexington.
… morenomorpostl
between the both of us we had burnt ends, shredded meat, green beans, mac and cheese,baked beans and coleslaw. southern sweet sweet tea. listed everything thinking there was something we didn’t like. nope, it was all to good. walked,wobbled, out full and satisfied. make sure you try all sauces. prices were reasonable.
atmosphere was comfy, over the years people signed the walls and ceiling even the window shades, unique.
… moreatmosphere was comfy, over the years people signed the walls and ceiling even the window shades, unique.
Rod Bagley
I have gone past it for years but never has the time to stop. Yesterday I did. Loved it. Don’t find places like that everyday. Doesn’t look like much from the outside but I think that adds to the draw.
… moreChristian Schoen
A lot people mentioned this place to me and I believe they over sold it. I had high expectations. Seems that it wasn’t fair considering someone that has tasted Texas Barbecue for 20+ years. Overall great experience, Great atmosphere, food was different, good flavor in the jalapeno sausage, good prices, and I loved the service energy towards the customers. I wasn’t too thrilled with the parking conditions. Plenty parking if not busy. Next time, before I go, I will have to talk to more locals on what the hidden gems are at this place. Will definitely come by and try them again.
… moreBrandi P
My husband and I shared a full slab of ribs, baked beans and Mac and cheese. The ribs needed steamed longer and grilled less. They were a little tough and weren’t super meaty. We would give them a 3 star. The baked beans were pretty good and had nuts if shredded pork in them. The Mac and cheese was good.
It’s a cute little hole in the wall restaurant. The staff was friendly. We would maybe go back.
… moreIt’s a cute little hole in the wall restaurant. The staff was friendly. We would maybe go back.
Paul Gibbs
Old school bbq dive, everything you’d expect & more. The double smoked brisket was on time, awesome smoke ring, fork tender & outstanding even without sauce. The only negative thing is the fact that I’m just in Lex for work & I live in FL
… moreHeather Mast
The brisket is excellent, the fries are great!! This is the closest brisket flavor to Smitty’s in Lockhart, Texas I’ve been able to find in the Lexington area! Staff is always friendly too! We love coming here and hope you never close!
… moreMeghan Wilson
First time in Kentucky, and I knew I had to try their BBQ. Red State BBQ did not disappoint. Great service, wonderful food and amazing atmosphere. Highly suggest trying it out if youre in the area…but its worth the drive too!
… moreVlad
Visited Tuesday, 2:30 pm. Should’ve just gone home and eaten cereal.
The front door has a Help Wanted sign. Cute. I thought that meant they were hiring. No — turns out the sign was a cry for help. Front and back of house. Spiritually and logistically.
Let’s begin with service.
Young guy behind the counter looked like he was being held hostage by employment. A lady in front of us pointed to the board advertising the Blackberry Smoke Sandwich as today’s special. Harmless question: “What is it?”
His answer? He doesn’t know.
Asked what meat it’s made of? No clue.
We literally had to ask him to go ask the kitchen. He rolled his eyes so dramatically I thought he was about to astral project. I felt like I had personally offended his ancestors by wanting to know what I was buying. Sorry, man. Didn’t realize asking questions at a restaurant was such a bold and aggressive act.
Pro Tip, Red State: If the staff doesn’t know what the special is… maybe… I don’t know… WRITE A DESCRIPTION ON THE BOARD.
Now, the food.
They were out of brisket. Okay. Happens. So I got:
Rack of ribs
Pulled pork
Pulled chicken
Several sides
Opened the boxes and realized something was missing.
Oh yeah. Smoke.
That thing BBQ is supposed to have.
There was zero smoky aroma. Nothing. Like the food had a restraining order against flavor.
I own a smoker. I’ve traveled for BBQ. I know what real bark looks like. The pulled pork had no bark. Tasted like someone slow-roasted a pork shoulder in an apartment oven next to a vanilla candle. Chicken? Seasoned with some cumin-ish rub but absolutely smoke-free. In fact, a grocery store rotisserie chicken has more BBQ personality than this witness protection-program bird.
Ribs?
Juicy, not dried out — I’ll give them that — but again, never met a wood chunk in their life. These ribs didn’t just lack smoke. They actively deny smoke exists.
Now, the sides:
Cheesy beer grits – Bitter. Like “why does this taste like regret?” bitter.
Coleslaw – Not tangy, not creamy, not vinegar-forward, not sweet. It just… existed. A bowl of emotional neutrality.
Potato salad – Should have been charged with attempted seasoning. Salt and pepper were clearly on vacation.
Overall:
If you’re looking for BBQ that tastes like BBQ, this ain’t it.
If you’re looking for an existential experience in flavor disappointment, congratulations — you found your spot.
⭐️ 1/5, only because zero stars isn’t an option and the ribs were technically moist.
… moreThe front door has a Help Wanted sign. Cute. I thought that meant they were hiring. No — turns out the sign was a cry for help. Front and back of house. Spiritually and logistically.
Let’s begin with service.
Young guy behind the counter looked like he was being held hostage by employment. A lady in front of us pointed to the board advertising the Blackberry Smoke Sandwich as today’s special. Harmless question: “What is it?”
His answer? He doesn’t know.
Asked what meat it’s made of? No clue.
We literally had to ask him to go ask the kitchen. He rolled his eyes so dramatically I thought he was about to astral project. I felt like I had personally offended his ancestors by wanting to know what I was buying. Sorry, man. Didn’t realize asking questions at a restaurant was such a bold and aggressive act.
Pro Tip, Red State: If the staff doesn’t know what the special is… maybe… I don’t know… WRITE A DESCRIPTION ON THE BOARD.
Now, the food.
They were out of brisket. Okay. Happens. So I got:
Rack of ribs
Pulled pork
Pulled chicken
Several sides
Opened the boxes and realized something was missing.
Oh yeah. Smoke.
That thing BBQ is supposed to have.
There was zero smoky aroma. Nothing. Like the food had a restraining order against flavor.
I own a smoker. I’ve traveled for BBQ. I know what real bark looks like. The pulled pork had no bark. Tasted like someone slow-roasted a pork shoulder in an apartment oven next to a vanilla candle. Chicken? Seasoned with some cumin-ish rub but absolutely smoke-free. In fact, a grocery store rotisserie chicken has more BBQ personality than this witness protection-program bird.
Ribs?
Juicy, not dried out — I’ll give them that — but again, never met a wood chunk in their life. These ribs didn’t just lack smoke. They actively deny smoke exists.
Now, the sides:
Cheesy beer grits – Bitter. Like “why does this taste like regret?” bitter.
Coleslaw – Not tangy, not creamy, not vinegar-forward, not sweet. It just… existed. A bowl of emotional neutrality.
Potato salad – Should have been charged with attempted seasoning. Salt and pepper were clearly on vacation.
Overall:
If you’re looking for BBQ that tastes like BBQ, this ain’t it.
If you’re looking for an existential experience in flavor disappointment, congratulations — you found your spot.
⭐️ 1/5, only because zero stars isn’t an option and the ribs were technically moist.