521 BBQ & Grill - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

Was not good .We ordered bbq pulled pork. Very dry.They didn't even bring bread.The slaw was aweful i couldn't eat it.They whoever ground up the core of cabbage which is hard and bitter.Want go back.I went 8 years ago it was good.But want go back.

The food is really a hit or miss. ive been here a few times now.. Sometimes the bbq is really good and moist and other times it is dry. same with the ribs, last time i got them it was almost a jerky consistency. also when making "request" some staff members dont have a problem doing it, but ive also been told no we cant do that and it just seems inconsistent as well...guess it depends on who is your server. Would rather not come back anymore.

Excellent food! Great baby back ribs!!! Awesome staff and even the chef came out to greet me. Their BBQ Sauce is fantastic! Highly recommended.

Went at about 4pm and there was only 1 other couple in the restaurant. 1st pic is pulled chicken tray with 2 sides for $14.95 USD. 2nd pic is combo platter with brisket and pulled pork + 2 sides for $19.49. 3rd pic is hush puppies with dipping butter. Casual relaxed atmosphere, waitress excellent!

The homemade chili was delicious and the service was outstanding

Go here all the time. Consistently Good. I’d say check it out.

We thought with all the high reviews, this should be a great place for BBQ. But we were wrong. Being the only four people in the place you would think the waiter would be attentive to us and not spend so much time on his phone. The ribs were severely under cooked, no draw back on the bone and tasted microwaved. The red slaw tasted fishy and he forgot to bring out half of our order. Very disappointed in this place, and I had high hopes too. Save yourself the tragedy and go elsewhere. Yes, it was the Indian land location and it was on Monday 8/4/24.

On a recent visit to SC, we stopped at BBQ521 for dinner. The beef brisket and coleslaw was delicious! Thank you to the friendly staff who made the visit memorable with great service. Two thumbs up!

I am so sick 20 mins after eating. Never again will I eat this food. Instant food poisoning.

Especially brisekt was delicous and service was great...

I loved the mashroom Burger. Thank you BBQ521

The hotdog was number oneeeee.....

We went for lunch with my family. The kids loved their burgers. .a nice place, I recommend it.

I strongly reccomend the Beef brisket

Unforgettable BBQ Experience If you're craving authentic BBQ that leaves a lasting impression, look no further! From the moment we walked in, the warm, smoky aroma set the tone for an unforgettable dining experience. The rustic decor and friendly staff made us feel right at home. The menu is a BBQ lover’s dream. We started with the smoked brisket, which was tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. The ribs? Fall-off-the-bone perfection, with just the right balance of smoky goodness and a tangy glaze. Each bite was better than the last. The pulled pork sandwich was a standout too—perfectly seasoned and served on a soft, toasted bun. The sides were equally impressive. The mac and cheese was creamy with a crispy top layer that added a nice texture, while the baked beans had a rich, savory flavor that complemented the meats perfectly. The hush puppies, warm and slightly sweet, was the perfect finish to the meal. Service was top-notch. Our server was attentive, knowledgeable, and made excellent recommendations. Whether you’re a BBQ aficionado or just looking for a great meal, this restaurant delivers on all fronts. We left full, satisfied, and already planning our next visit. Highly recommend!

Have eaten here many, many times with the family. The food tonight was terrible.We were thinking it was under new management. They said … NO!!! Our grandson always enjoyed the food and coming here to eat when visiting us. We don’t ever plan on returning to 521 Barbecue. We would not recommend you taking your family here for a meal. The coleslaw had a slimy texture and had to be sent back.The brisket was dry and the baked beans were watery. Too many good places to eat in our area.Don’t waste your time here. The waitress was even very unfriendly, too. The girls are normally VERY friendly. BAD EXPERIENCE!!!!

Awful customer service and unsanitary! Servers need proper training in customer service.

Was a little disappointed, this place used to be a lot better. The fried pickles were very salty and the white slaw had way too much mayo. Meat was also pretty dry. On top of all of that, they had no sweet tea. Huh? The waiter said they were out of tea bags. This place is right next to a grocery store, mind you. Sad to see a good spot fall into this unfortunate decline

The crew of guys working were phenomenal, even making sure our 4 year old was happy. Food was pretty awesome, and also the prices reflected appropriate portion sizes. Great array of sauces... We will definitely be coming here again.

It's good for a basic restaurant.

Best food and service was perfecto!

I really enjoyed the fish platter! It was the first time that I've ever tried collard greens and oh my god I will be back!

Did carry out for a birthday party. Staff was very helpful and food was awesome

Wasn't impressed with the food or the atmosphere or the fat bartender with the painted hair.

Overall, it's a good lunch option. The Pulled chicken sandwich and brisket sandwich were both good,but the coleslaw was horrible. Warm bottled beer was a bummer, too. Would definitely try again, though

Maybe we were too excited about this place. But it was a real letdown. Starting with the appetizer, fried pickles, the food just wasn't up to what we had expected. The fried pickles were so salty I couldn't eat more than a couple. The brisket was so dry and crispy that I could hardly cut it. The white slaw was really disappointing, and the red slaw was so vinegary I think I had 3 bites and had to quit. And when the waiter asked how everything was, and I mentioned that there was too much vinegar in the slaw, he said "I didn't make it." I will say the pulled pork was really good, and the ribs were amazing! We have had them before and knew how great they were, so we took friends with us this time. They were not impressed. I guess at a barbecue restaurant in North Carolina it's a better idea to stick with the ribs and pulled pork!

Barbeque is my favorite dish and I have been to many barbeque places before. It was the best barbeque I have ever had for long time 10/10. Restaurant is medium sized, but it is very clean 9/10. The employees are friendly, and their service is very good 10/10. The price is cheaper than many barbeque places. You get much more than you pay for a barbeque meal in a warm environment. Definitely will be my regular.

I've been going here for a while and have not been disappointed

the best beautiful and tasty restaurant🥰🩷

Excellent service on the food is great

Great BBQ! They also give you complimentary hush puppies which were amazing! My fiance and I had the pulled pork sandwich and fried pickles, everything was cooked perfectly. Our server was very attentive and never had to ask for anything, I really need to get better at remembering names lol.

We have eaten at 521 BBQ several times now and really like it. They have some of the best Carlina BBQ around. The service is great and there is plenty of nearby parking.

Love their food! I've never had a bad item, no matter what I choose. The pulled pork is tender and juicy, and the wings are the best I've ever had!!!

Casual setting for excellent BBQ. Great beer selection and happy hour offerings too. My only criticism would be on the mac n cheese. But all the meat and other sides were a 10/10! To follow up on the reply, the Mac and cheese wasn't melty and needed more salt! But it wasn't bad, just could be better.

Great place to be. Service was great. Good was hot and fresh. Thumbs up.

Great BBQ and fast friendly service.

Delicious food and excellent wait staff! The menu has a variety of price points, which makes it a great place to go out with friends. Wait staff was friendly and helpful. The barbecue was delicious and they have a great selection of sauces!

OMG!!! How do I even begin?! First of all, the staff is fantastic. The moment I stepped into the restaurant I was welcomed in a very friendly nature. Secondly, The atmosphere of the restaurant is outstanding. Every time I go there it never ceases to feel like my second home. Last and most importantly, the food. I could describe the food for hours. Best. Food. Ever. I always like to try to get new orders very time I go there. Never disappoints. One of my favorite dishes is the bbq chicken wings. I totally recommend 521BBQ. Thank you so much!

Great BBQ, great service, great beer and wine selection, clean restaurant and bathrooms,, what more could you ask for, I would recommend if you're in the mood for some good BBQ!

Great BBQ at reasonable prices. Worth the drive south if you are in Ballantyne.

Me and my family can always count on 521BBQ for an enjoyable dinner. Not only are the dishes exceptionally tasty, but the waiters and waitresses are always attentive. In my opinion what makes a restaurant special is not the amount of food on the menu, it’s how it is served. There is a big difference in eating a platter of ambrosia, served by a waiter that through the platter to your table and one that is served with a smile and kindness. Imagine you go to a restaurant that is darkly lit, the servers are wearing unclean caps, and hands that have the remnants of the last dish prepared. When they give you a table they do so frowning when the menu arrives, it practically thrown. The food is unappetizing, whether it is how it tastes or if it is the services that make it so is uncertain. Many restaurants have this reality. From their unclean restaurants to their distant and questionable service, which makes eating outside a challenge, but I can count on 521BBQ for a wonderful service. 521BBQ is one of the few restaurants remaining that offers such a service, that reminds its customers of a time eating out was a family experience, a novelty, an enjoyable experience to count days for. Not only for its food, but also for the memories it helps create. N.B.

We don't all have the same taste. This is just my opinion. Try it for yourself

Surprised with such slow service and less- than-stellar food, since we have usually had a great experience.

This place has THE best ribs and chicken wings!! I love how they have all the sauces out on the table for you to try. Everything tastes fresh and delicious, and it comes out so fast! The servers here are also super kind and will make you feel at home when you eat here!

Wonderful people and good food. I had the chicken bacon ranch sandwich and it was very good.

Go to 521 on Tuesday nights for music bingo. The music is fun, sing along. The wait staff is super!!! Come join us it's a fun evening!!

BBQ was dry and lacked flavor. Seemed like it was not fresh. Staff were nice and quick.

A comida muito boa os salgados excelente

Great service and great bbq. I've really enjoyed our experience every time. We love the Brisket and fried pickles. Max is our good friend, but this review is objective. We have only great things to say for the food and the service.

The food was excellent and then service was friendly and helpful. We tried two combo platters so we could sample. The grilled chicken was moist and the sauce had a nice kick. The ribs were tender and succulent. The pulled pork had a good smoke flavor coming through the sauce. But the brisket- holy cow! It was amazing! I would highly recommend it. The hush puppies were very good, too. Went again and the brisket is still excellent. The fried okra was crispy and hot, really good. I know I can count on 521 to be consistently good!

I would not recommend this place. We had to ask more then once for things because our server would forget. We sent back food bc it tasted awful, when we got our food we noticed that things it said would come with it did not come. We had to ask to get them. I understand it’s not always the servers fault but they should of known if something was missing. We ordered drinks and they tasted awful and were not what we ordered. In the end the server gave us free dessert because our meal was just a mess. The only thing that was good was the fried pickles we ordered.

Easy access good parking. Well cooked pork...very tender and pulled in nice size chunks...Eastern style sauce lacked in smokiness and taste which tenderness and juciness compensated for.. would recommend in spite of being slightly overpriced.

The pulled pork and the sauce were good, but the meat was closer to cold than warm. I was not a fan of the red slaw, but I had never tried it anywhere else before. My wife liked the potato salad and beans. There were plenty of beer choices. We will go back. The service was not great.

My Wife and I went there for lunch last week after not visiting 521 in over a year. I have to say I wasn’t expecting the price of barbecue ribs plate to cost sub $20.00 ea. And not a year earlier it was $15.99ish. Boy we’re we surprised, I guess COVID was the cause of that price hike. Okay, enough about cost, we weren’t happy with the baby back ribs being so dry, in the past, their pork ribs were usually moist and almost fall off the bone tender. Sadly it wasn’t the case for our order. My wife says we won’t be going back. One constant plus was the hush puppies, they were tasty.

Texas Ribs and baked Beans!!! Found pulled pork ok. Service lovely and attentive.

I unfortunately would not recommend. This was the worst bbq food I’ve ever tasted - not a dramatized statement. The Mac and Cheese tasted like vinegar, not Mac and cheese. I thought maybe I got a bad batch but when I called they said they put vinegar in their Mac 🤢. The pulled pork was not fresh, and the bun was dry. I threw everything I bought out after one bite except for the fries which were just okay. Responding to owners reply: The girl on the phone is the one who told me “yes, we put vinegar in our mac and cheese sometimes so no you didn’t get a bad batch” and she NEVER asked me if I wanted a replacement or offered any type of refund. Please don’t respond dishonestly to honest reviews.

Very good barbecue, BBQ sauces, and atmosphere. I do keep returning.

*Posted originally to Lancaster in error* I don't normally take the time to write reviews but wanted to this time....We have eaten at 521 multiple times in the past but decided to order pickup since we don't frequent that area any more. The food was cold, BBQ both chicken and pork was dry. We were also missing an order of fries and extra order of hush puppies. We called and we were told we could pick up those items by giving our name. Next time in the area, we stopped and we were told since it was over 30 days(which we were not told that) our name was no longer on the 'list'. Basically told sorry, very politely, but sorry. Really.... An order of fries and hush puppies... Why would I drive there and lie about $5 or less worth of food? What happened to customer service?

Over priced brisket! $8 a slice!

One of my favorite BBQ places to eat. Had a large BBQ sandwich with white slaw. And had some fried squash. Both were excellent. Our waitress, Karlie, was very attentive and provided superior service.

inly reason am giving a two stars is that I paid for thr sauce and guess what! I get home and its not in the bag!WTH!!!WHO charge for the sauce anyways. food is okay...not texas. weak flavors and brisket was dry even though I asked for the fattiest part. its not texas indeed. its decent at most. not a very bad expedience

Service was exceptional and the pulled pork is always a hit. The white slaw is very good.

Wonderful ribs, pulled chicken, green beans, and collards. Enough for 2 meals @

Worst BBQ I've had in a decade!!! We ordered Ribs that were raw in the center. literally raw! So they brought out some chopped pork which was beyond dry. The manager confessed that they had run out of ribs and were pulling them straight off of a pellet smoker and serving them. There was no smoke ring on the ribs or chopped pork!! No smoke ring! When we complained about the chopped pork being super dry we were told they don't give refunds even though the manger admitted that they had rushed the cooking process due to running out earlier in the day. I smoke alot of meat and I this was the worst BBQ I have had in ten years. Also I have not asked for a discount or sent back bbq in almost a decade. Also what the heck is a BBQ restaurant doing using a smoker to fast cook ribs like it's a grill. I would expect an offset smoker, this is a BBQ restaurant after all! Clearly the owners have a culture of prioritizing profit over quality smoked meets and good customer service. I can understand a mistake being made with the food but take responsibility and refund the customer. We didn't eat any of the ribs or pulled pork and told them we had no interest in eating them and they still refuse to refund our money.

Great BBQ place with a rich menu. Tried combo plate / cannot go wrong with that !! Definitely coming back for more.

Called ahead to make sure they had space for my party of 13 for my kids birthday. The lady that answered the phone was was very nice and had our table set up when we arrived. Sever was super nice and food was delicious as always. Everyone went out of their way to wish my kids a happy birthday. Thanks for great food and service!!

Great service and food. I really enjoyed the brisket and ribs that came with the combo platter. I would definitely come back again.

The low ratings for this place does not make sense to me!!! Amazing BBQ restaurant. Their food and beer selections really great. Friendly servers and ambiance were top of the list. We tried their brisket plate, combo plate, sweet potato and cheese sticks for starter.

Great food, great service. Best BBQ in town!

Great restaurant. We visited in back in April and never got around to post a review. Best smoked chicken wings hands down. Comfort food at its best. My wife loved the ribs. Great beer & liquor selection. Will definitely visit next time we're in town.

Wings was delicious services really enjoy. Best baby back ribs i’ll prefer next time.

Best bbq !! Man it is tasty the ribs !!!!

Bbq perfection! Beef ribs are out of the world!! Best I have ever had. Brisket was really good too. Everything had really great flavor and was moist. Everyone was super friendly and helpful. Very clean. Go here!! You won't be disappointed!! There is a full bar and great selection of local and domestic beers for beer lovers.

I am very picky when it comes to BBQ but we had a wonderful experience in this place. Excellent food, atmosphere and service! I’ll absolutely be going back. Strongly recommended.

521 BBQ & GRILL has a large selection of sandwiches that you can have for lunch and they also have several plates that make for a great dinner. I'm a big eater and their portions are large enough to fill me up. The wait staff are also attentive and cordial with every one that comes in. Overall a very good experience eating here.

Outstanding! Very friendly staff, great service, food is always tasting delicious and overall a great experience!

Do not waste your money. Food was awful, fish patty on a bun,, no tomato, lettuce, nothing.. just fish on a bun. French fries were cold. Food is overpriced for quality. Restaurant used to be the best, it's now the worst in the area.

I’ve been dying to try this place, as I love bbq but let me tell you, what a disappointment. 1. The food has no flavor what so ever, the bbq was dry and the sauces were disgusting! 2, the hush puppies were hard! 3. The coleslaw tasted like nothing, might as well call it unseasoned cold cabbage. 4. The wings were not good, my daughter threw them away. 5. To top it all off, there was plastic in one of the food items. Do not recommend!

Super delicious pork! The staff is incredibly friendly. They even have an awesome bar. I very much recommend the fried pickles.

Always great food and service. Various bbq from wings, ribs, pulled pork. Love the hush puppies and vinegar slaw. Awesome!

Very good BBQ! Love the hush puppies and the sauces are fantastic. Sweet tea was not very good. At $2.75 it should be excellent!

This was my first time eating here and it was good, but not great. I ordered the ribs tray with fried okra and collard greens. The ribs were good, decent amount of meat, no complaints. The okra however were meh, I’m not sure if they were frozen, but probably. Collard greens were again just okay. They were very vinegary, I don’t eat it much so maybe it’s just me. Our waitress was nice, but our only small issue is that my boyfriend’s grandma received her food before him and I got to order. Granted we put her order in first because we didn’t have enough time to pick for ourselves and didn’t want to hold up the waitress. Just wished it came out all at once so she didn’t have to start eating before us.

Friendly staff, good food and very clean.

We ate a late lunch there today and our waitress left after bringing our food. I guess her shift was over and she didn’t want to stay for an extra 10 minutes. There were 4 other waitresses there and only one other table. We were never checked on at all. I had to go to register to get my check. We were without drink and was very disappointed in food. My fork had dried food on it so I had to use my boyfriends. The collards greens were mostly the middle stem part which I never include when cooking collards. The green beans were delicious. The bbq was ok but not hot just warmed. Just overall a bad experience. I prefer the 521 bbq in Lancaster. Update: after reading reviews and asking other people I know….my prediction is this place will be closing doors soon. Dead!! And poor service and food quality.

Was really good. I'm glad I found this place.

Good service as always. Can't recommend the burger. Stick to BBQ. Burger was a hockey puck

Not bad, but not great. Recommended for a quick BBQ fix, but without high expectations. Felt the portions also small for the money in comparison to other BBQ restaurants.

Not what they used to be... brisket is dry, ribs hard and under cooked, Mac cheese no good. Hush puppies were good but I think I've placed my last order.

Guys you are rock!! Everything was so delicious and tasty!!! Especially beef skewers! ( like kebabs) ! Barbecue ribs was so tender and juicy!!!! Thank you so much!!!

Great place. Food is really good and they have a great beer selection.

Waitress was real nice but unfortunately food did not have any flavor.

Used to go to the original 521 down the road, which was fantastic!! You could get the variety plate with a sample of all their meat!!! Disappointed that only could get ribs, pork chops or chicken breast. I'm a fan of legs and thighs!! The servings were smaller and more expensive than previous location!!! 3/1/22 The one I was commenting on is 17 minutes from my home from Hwy 75!! It is located in shopping center directly behind the BBT bank that just changed to TRUIST!! Afterwards, I drove across the highway to the Hobby Lobby store!!!

Got the smoked sausage platter it was good tried their new sweet potato fries no seasoning no repeat. Barb got the sm barbq plate and loved it helped her with her greens tasty in trouble but worth it. Good service clean and spacious.

Really frustrated with our experience here. When we got home, we realized half our order was missing- our sides! The wings were good, and so was the BBQ, but we missed our sides.

Bit of a distance for a DoorDash order so we weren’t expecting piping hot food. That being said, holy moly!!! Outstanding!!!!! Chopped pork plate with 3 sides okra, onion rings, and M&C. All beyond delicious!! My wife had the ribs and man were they good. The sauce!!!!!

Haven’t been here in about five years so take this review with a grain of salt. We used to love this place. The ribs were the best, then there was a change in ownership and the ribs were very fatty. We tried it a few more times but with the same results, more fat than meat on the ribs. I did a little research and was told by an employee that the new owner changed the meat supplier and they agreed the ribs were not as good as the ones the previous owner used. This is what I was told so I can’t be 100 % sure. We were very disappointed and never went back. So the two stars I give it were from a long time ago. I would like to change that so we’re thinking of giving it another try. Hopefully the results will be better.

Love the ribs and hushpuppies here! Gets pretty crowded at peak meal times so try to come a little earlier or later than the crowds. Only "con" I can think of is we have had poor service on occasions. Other times the service has been great. Bottom line is the food is great, and worth a try!

The food was standard pub food..wings were good and fresh..popcorn shrimp tasty.. BUT the service provided by Kasey A. made our lunch experience exceptional..his friendly, outgoing yet professional attitude made our visit fun and truly enjoyable.

Kasey A provided the most friendly, prompt, amazing service. His positive, engaging approach will have us return.

Our waiter Kasey was amazing! The new fried squash, ribs and pulled pork were all awesome. The mac & cheese and grilled portobello were not good. Maybe an off night but not sure how you can mess up mac. Very good beer selection. We enjoyed our meal and would go back.