Big Sams BBQ Addicts

This place has been closed for over a year and for good reason. The food was OK at best and the service was bad. The food was served on butcher paper and there wasn’t that good a selection. Met the owner and I didn’t trust anything he said.

I walked into «Big Sam’s» and WOW! We were greeted by Sam himself who was the most charismatic owner I have ever met. His service was impeccable and fast. What I loved most was that he was real, personal, and loves what he does. He recommended the «Big Sam-​mich» and side of potato salad. If you want to be impressed then listen to Sam. The serving size of pulled pork was more than generous and could have made two sandwiches. Their sauce is what takes the cake though. I did try a bite of the hamburger as well and it is unlike anything you have ever tasted. And if you are the type that always look for something negative you might be upset at there originality in serving your food on a large folded piece of paper. I thought it was cool. Make this a food destination and I promise: You won’t be disappointed!

The food wasn’t terrible, but the experience might be the worst I’ve ever had at a restaurant. The waitress was clueless on the menu and on pretty much everything else, honestly. When we go to pay they inform us they don’t take credit cards and the ATM is down. So here I am, driving through Lagrange looking for a place to withdraw money to go back and pay for food that wasn’t overly enjoyable to begin with.

My husband and I went here on a Saturday for dinner after picking peaches. We weren’t from the area but had found this BBQ place online. Upon walking in, the owner/​cook was sitting in a chair and the best waitress ever, Andrea, was at the bar. We were seated and chatted with Sam and Andrea. Both are INCREDIBLE people. It was so laid back. I ordered the ribs which were fall off the bone incredible. The potato salad was hands down the best potato salad I’ve ever had. I wish I had gotten two helpings. I also tried the catfish which was awesome. I thought it was strange to have catfish at a bbq place, but it was absolutely delicious. Sam is one of the nicest people I have ever met and he’s running his business right. I can’t wait to go back to this place.

Had Big Sams BBQ a couple different times. I like the sauce because it seems to be the opposite of what the other local BBQ places offer. I prefer a thicker, tomato based sauce as opposed to the vinegary, mustard based. I’m not used to being asked if I want mild or spicy BBQ sauce. I was never exposed to that until I moved to this area (Auburn, Columbus, Lagrange).

We were passing through and had a craving for BBQ. After searching Unilocal,we ended up at Big Sam’s. It was a Friday night around 7ish and there were only two customers. Not a good sign.
The location is in a pretty sketchy residential neighborhood, but the building is very cute. The interior is.odd. It’s sort of bar like, with big airbrushed looking pictures of Sam’s girls (a.k.a the waitresses) on the wall. There is a lot of party signage, etc. except there was no one there? Very odd.
But, down to the good stuff. The service was good and so was the food. Nice smoky flavor. The beans were very different — mixed beans in a runny sweet sauce, but kinda tasty. Potato salad was the baked potato kind many places serve. Doubt it is homemade, but very good.
Despite the oddities, I would go back.

Very Good BBQ & sauce, clean, good service, but a little pricey for lunch. $$