Bubba-Q’s

Food is absolutely delicious!!! Best Barbeque I have ever had. Service is great. Price is very affordable. This is a locally owned restaurant that shows in the excellent customer service.
Friday and Saturday nights can get a busy, so plan early if you have a large group.

Bubba Q’s is not real BBQ. Not to be mean but the food was not good at all. I’ve had ribs here and also a cheeseburger and both times I was disappointed. If I must have BBQ I’ll just head towards St. Louis and if I want great BBQ back home to Tennessee but maybe when you’ve had the best Iowan BBQ just fails in comparison. Was really bummed out too because the way this place is decorated it convinced me the food would be great, just a real let down.

Went today for lunch. Hoping to find really good food based upon reviews seen here. The prices were high. We waited way too long for our food and it was below par. Had the all beef hot dog and it came on a bun that fell apart. They seem to think that toasting the bun was the way to go, but not for the buns they use. Just don’t stand up to the dog. Had the mac and cheese which was thin, runny and gross. I couldn’t finish it. Will probably not go back again.

Tender ribs that fall off the bone! (that’s almost worth saying twice) I absolutely love this restaurant, and we come here very often. The servers are friendly, and the menu selection is very nice, there are even good options for children. Ribs, burgers, nachos, even salads are exceptional here (I have yet to try the pastas or chicken because I keep ordering things I REALLY like). Of the approximate 30 times we’ve been here I have only ever had one bad, and over sauced, nacho experience. Coincidently that was the only time I’ve experienced slow service. Other than that the only negative thing I have to say, which isn’t really negative, is to be ready to pay for what you get.
A little tip, if you want the nachos (which I highly recommend you at least try) but don’t want to gorge yourself or have useless leftovers (who wants reheated soggy mush) ask for the appetizer size. You can do this for all the different «flavors», even though it isn’t noted on the menu.

Very good BBQ place located in the Mall in Ottumwa. Service is usually very prompt and the food is great. They have great sides including their John Deer Corn and Mac n cheese which is very good. It is on the pricey side for the area but it’s worth it. It is small and gets very crowded once all the tables start to fill up but overall we love this place.

Stop in for the burnt ends – amazing! I had the burnt ends sandwich, which was excellent. Bubba’s sauce was also excellent, blend of sweet and spicy. I didnt sample any but it looked like Bubbas stocks a nice selection of local wines as well.

Ottumwa’s best bbq. You can taste the smoke! LOVE the side dishes, like homemade mac n cheese, smashed potato salad. Good lemonade. Prices are ok, sandwich with a side, nine dollars, plated entrees maybe thirteen dollars. Good quality food, some fun desserts. The owners keep the place clean. As for a downside: Can be very busy, though waits are pretty short. Can get LOUD. And the service and the plating seems better when the owners are there, which they can’t be 90 hours a week.

They have everything you would want in a BBQ restaurant-​Size, sauce, quality of meat, choices, great sides all cooked by someone who loves BBQ and activley competes in competition. If you are close by this small Iowa town, please try Bubba-Q’s small town place with big town bite.
I have tried many BBQ joints, trust me this is a winner. Glad to see this place doing well.

Good food and good service. The menu is much larger than the downtown location, serving burgers, sandwiches, and steaks in addition to the bbq. The interior is very casual and clean. My only complaint might have been that a couple of line cooks were yelling back and forth pretty loudly and the serving window was large and open enough that most of the people eating could hear. There was also a loud and inappropriate exchange between two waitresses at one point who were across the dining area from each other. I’ll definitely go back for the food and recommend it to people, they just may need to work out some kinks in the staffing.