Stubburn bbq
Stubburn bbq. 3381 Remembrance Road Northwest, Walker, Michigan 49534, United States. (616) 780-5586. Copyright © 2025 Stubburn bbq – All Rights Reserved.
Conner Melinn
This is in contention for the best meal I’ve ever had. I’d heard about this place for a while and went there early. The owner was incredibly wonderful and chatted with us before they opened, brought waters out for everyone. My family got brisket, pulled pork and chicken, rib tips, and meatballs as mains, with baked beans and macaroni as sides. Each meat was the best I’ve had individually, though my favorites were the brisket, pulled pork, and rib tips. The depth of flavor was mind-blowing. The baked beans were superb as well. The macaroni was good but compared to the rest of the food was unnecessary. Their two sauces and the pickles were all amazing as well and paired perfectly with the meat. We got banana pudding as well to round out the meal and it was in contention for the best dessert I’ve ever had and a perfect, refreshing end to a heavy meal.
For the food we got, we could have fed 5 people comfortably for about $25 dollars a person, which for barbecue, especially of this quality, is ridiculous.
Very much worth every second of the wait, will definitely be back to visit soon.
… moreNathan Ver Beek
Welcome to the best BBQ in Grand Rapids. They’re generally open just one afternoon per week (Sundays) and if you show up at open, you’re too late, there will be a line to the street. It’s that good.
The Brisket is extremely tender and flavorful with a tasty crispy bark. The pulled pork is also very tender and flavorful. What really brings this place home is the sides, finally a BBQ place that understands bland Mac and cheese doesn’t cut it. We tried the baked beans and Mac, both were very good and worth the price.
Stubborn has a bunch of outdoor seating and 3 small booths inside if the weather isn’t great. However you can also eat next door at Lost Art Brewing if you can’t find a place indoors.
Finally the service – everyone smiling and friendly including the owner.
Just a top notch establishment in all the right ways.
… moreColby Perry
I went with a friend and it was a lot of fun. We got there about an hour before opening and got to talk to the pit master and he was incredibly kind as he explained his process for doing what they do.
While waiting in line for them to open they came out with water for us all, as it was a warm one.
We ordered one of each meat and each side. The ribs (St Louis), meatball and turkey were surprises to me. The cornbread and beans were standouts on the sides, and that banana pudding I could eat an entire tray of.
This could easily feed four people and may have some leftovers. It was just two of us and we grazed like on Thanksgiving and had dinner the next night.
Definitely going back.
… moreDan Ferris
As you can see, we had a large group of us come in. We’d just backpacked the Manistee loop trail and needed some good BBQ. The food was super delicious! (had the brisket and coleslaw – baked beans were gone, so I assume were amazing!) Got some meatballs to go – enjoyed the smokey flavor.
The owner was personable, friendly and ensured satisfaction. Well done Stubborn BBQ!!
… moreMike W
Competition level wood-fired barbeque in a small family run restaurant. The brisket, pulled pork and sauce are outstanding. They are only open until they sell out so get there early.
Update: I’ve been back many times in the last year and have tried everything on the menu. All sides and sauce are made in house and are all great. The smoked turkey and ribs are also fantastic. Best bbq in West Michigan.
… moreA Sylvester
All I can say is WOW! I have watched Mark and his family put in a lot of hard work over the last year and it shows that they know their stuff. This BBQ is world class. We tried everything and I can’t even tell you what my favorite part was because it was all so good. The ribs were fall off the bone tender (can’t explain the sorcery of how he does it with a gigantic wood fired smoker) the chicken was so moist and tender, the pulled pork and brisket were top notch, the BEANS!! So good. Cornbread bake, OREO FLUFF, coleslaw (I don’t even like coleslaw and I ate half the container), I’m so full right now but just keep eating….. do yourself a favor and GO THERE!!!!!!
… moreBlane K
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
10/10 Highly Recommend
Stubborn BBQ is an absolute gem! The brisket is perfectly smoked and melts in your mouth, delivering a rich, savory flavor that’s simply unforgettable. The mac and cheese is creamy and decadent, providing the perfect comfort food experience. And don’t even get me started on the cornbread – it’s moist, slightly sweet, and pairs perfectly with the rest of the meal. Highly recommend this place to any BBQ lover. Can’t wait to come back!
… moreMaleigh Dillon
We got a smoked turkey for Thanksgiving. My partner is from the South and is always looking for BBQ that reminds him of home(which is tough up here). This was one of the best smoked turkeys he has ever had. It was moist, tender, and had a lovely smoke. The sauce? Don’t get me started. It was definitely a wonderful compliment to the turkey.
When I came to pick up the turkey, I was pleasantly surprised by how infectiously happy all the people working inside were.
We are very excited to try their BBQ when they re-open next season.
Thank you for the lovely turkey. Keep it up!
… moreSteven Zarzecki
Where do I start? Walking up to the order counter you are greeted by a warm bubbly cashier who’s excited to take your order. The whole staff was extremely excited to see everyone ordering food and were very kind and polite. As someone who generally turns my nose up to BBQ in the past due to not so palatable recipes by other cooks I was very optimistic about the food here. My optimism was rewarded ten fold. The food here is simply amazing. The brisket melts in your mouth and the ribs just fall off the bone. The in house sauce is the star of the show that takes the already amazing flavors to new heights. But let’s not forget the side dishes. The side dishes are just as delightful as the main meats. The baked beans were stellar and the Mac n’cheese is the best I’ve ever had. The best part about the food here is while you get full there is no heavy feeling. Simply put Stubburn BBQ is the best BBQ joint in west Michigan and a welcome addition to the Walker community. Definitely will be returning for more!
… moreAlex Szymborski
The prices are really reasonable. Any barbecue fan knows how expensive good barbecue can be. It’s a small place with a counter you order at, and then wait for your food. The service was pretty slow. There was a line already when we got there 15 minutes after opening, and it wasn’t until after another 30 minutes before we got our food (probably 15 minutes waiting in line, and then 15 minutes waiting for them to package up our food). The wait is worth it though, everything we tried was delicious. Brisket, ribs, pulled pork sandwich, corn bread and mac and cheese. Get there early because they will run out of stuff (one of the daily specials was already gone 45 minutes after they opened). The people are really friendly and they already have plenty of friends and regulars coming in that they greet really warmly
… more