Dowd’s BBQ

I gave this place 3 tires thinking they would step up their game, but to no avail has this place improved whatsoever.
We waited 20 min for old reheated chicken, they only food that was delicious was the bake beans. the rest my food is better at home, it’s because of this place I no longer eat BBQ from anyone but at home. place deserve no star don’t go here save your money go to McDonald, (mind you I don’t eat McDonald)

So we went to the address, and they have moved. Was looking forward to trying this place. Hopefully they update their address soon.

This place had some ups and a lot of downs but I definitely would come back here to try something else. My friend got the brisket meal with Mac and cheese and fries while I got the ribs (wanted rib tips but they didn’t have) with potato salad and hushpuppies.
PROS
–The sauce. The BBQ sauce was amazing and plentiful on the meats we got.
— The brisket was pretty good. It definitely wasn’t juicy or tender as I think it should be though but it did taste delicious and my friend finished hers.
— The hushpuppies! They were great and the only thing that I ordered that I finished completely.
–Portion size. Although it was more expensive than I expected, they did give you A LOT of food.
CONS
–The sides. The Mac and cheese was BAD. It wasn’t cheesy at all and tasted like Kraft Mac and cheese that’s microwaved to death two days later. The potato salad wasn’t horrible but it was mostly sauce with just a little bit of potato that I had to search for with my fork.
–The meat in general just wasn’t pull apart, juicy or tender like I think most people expect in bbq. I didn’t finish my $ 17 ribs because it was so tough and difficult to eat.

Looked at all of the Unilocal reviews on this joint. So yesterday was my youngest son’s birthday and he wanted ribs for dinner and we decided to try it out. Upon arriving the staff looked grouchy and unhappy but we ordered food anyways 3 racks of ribs 2 large mac n cheese and 1 large collard greens. First of all the price for the sides are expensive as hell! And the taste is quite bland and the mac n cheese didn’t have enough cheese I was appalled at the price of $ 7.50 per allegedly 16 ounce size it was more like 10 ounces. Considering we are in the great northwest the ribs were ok but nothing to write home about just a little but on the tough side (ribs are supposed to be fall off of the bone tender) and they also didn’t pull off the disgusting membrane before smoking them so after spending 90.60 on mediocre ribs and nasty side dishes I’m a bit sour towards this place! I believe in supporting local businesses but when you cut corners like this it’s just insane! And unnecessary. I’m willing to give this place 1 more try but will not buy side dishes just meat only. The staff could have better manners and customer service

Hands down best BBQ place I have ever been to. So delicious! The employees are very kind as well. Thursdays seem to be their freshest time since they fire up the grill outside — call ahead. They get busy. Try the apple pie, too!

Place is nice, clean and friendly staff. Food was good. Nothing to rave about but nothing to rant about as well. Brisket was my preference after trying the pulled pork and the ribs. Mac and cheese was ok, our kids liked it. The potato casserole (I think that’s the name) was pretty good. They do give you free cone of ice cream to have as dessert the kids were happy about that!
We had a family meal — pulled pork, brisket (sliced) 3 sides (potato casserole, Mac n cheese, waffle fries) and ½ of ribs.
For all of us to eat and our drinks it was about $ 70. Would we Come back if that’s what my husband wants why not. All in all it wasn’t a horrible place to eat and the food was pretty good. The sauces were good too. We preferred the hot and spicy and my kids the other 2 which were sweet and the other original.
I’d recommend someone to try it out

It was alright. The mac and cheese is not made fresh– it’s reheated in the microwave, but it is from scratch. If it was done fresh it would be amazing. Potato salad was terrible. My pulled pork was alright– a little fatty, and literally swimming in watery sauce and grease, but the flavor was spot on once I drained out the grease and watered down sauce. Cornbread was really good. I think it depends on the day of the week and the time of day you go– if you can get everything fresh and not at the end of the day, you’re probably better off.

I have been here probably 5 times and have never been disappointed. It’s fantastic food and service every time!

Awesome food!!! It was everything I heard it would be. I loved it! Good Christian based restaurant. I love that they are giving back to the community by feeding the homeless. Great people and the service was great too!!! I’m going back today lol!!!

Had a graduation party of 40 catered by these guys. The food was way more than we expected (we ordered for 30 people) and delicious — we got the pulled pork and beef brisket, both of which were fantastic. The mac and cheese was a favorite of many, and they upgraded our dessert for free (sweet potato pie and pound cake). The owner (Martin) was very friendly — I would definitely recommend them if you need to feed a large group of people, I’m looking forward to pulled pork sandwiches for the rest of the week!

The food was great! I got the beef brisket with hush puppies and red beans and rice. The sauce was awesome the cornbread was so good and it was really awesome to actually have REAL corn in it I mean literally there was corn! My boyfriend had the beef tips, greens and potato salad. DELICIOUS! Everything was so full of flavor making us sit there trying to figure out what the ingredients might be. HA!
We met Martin Dowd and his dad Charles Dowd, they were so kind and Charles told us about BBQ in Memphis and how him and Martin both have their certain recipes. «Martin is more of North Carolina BBQ» he said.
Memphis or NC it was all good to me!!!

Brisket is amazing, yhe bbq sauce is so delicious. The bbq bake beans are very good, greens are yummy.

Lazy that’s a good start.
The bbq beans taste pickled. Seriously. Wtf.
Their potato salad crap tastes heavily pickled as well! WTH GUYS.
They we’re out of bbq pork so they said they could use a couple of ribs. I was like ok. I figured since I said sandwich they would have a brain and rip the meat off the bones of a few ribs and put it on the Bread since its a sandwich.
No they put 2 bone in ribs on 2 slices of regular white bread. Looks like something a 3yr old made.

Great food! Don’t let the fact that its in a gas station keep you away. We will surly be back when we are in the area. Owners are super nice and friendly.

Gabby helped me so much this is such an amazing family business

Wow… what can I say but fantastic food for a great price!
Catfish sandwhich, super flavorful and packed with catfish.
Fries which are simply awesome.
Red beans and rice — simply great.
Am I giving too much credit… in fact not enough.
Simple food from the heart leads to a great dinner.
Will be back!

I have been here twice both getting the same thing. The moo cluck oink dish. If it is your first time eating here that is the dish you want. I love to eat and I always have left overs and it’s gives you variety to taste. The place looks clean the costumer service is par. The prices are fair and the food is good. The only reason why I couldn’t give this place 5 stars were the amount of flys everywhere.

Love their catfish! I normally do not eat at places like this, but my boyfriend is from Texas and says it’s as close to home as he can find. My first time ever eating catfish was from this place and I’m in love. It’s always consistently good. Yes it’s in a gas station, but whatever. You can always call your order in ahead of time. Sometimes the wait can be long because they are so busy, but who cares?! For food like this I would wait all day!
P. S. The banana pudding is amazing!

Yummy!
I was here a year ago and I’m so happy we came back.
We got the family meal for $ 24.
The cashier/​owner/​cook was extremely nice.
Chicken wings, ribs, hot links were all made to order.
(Side of greens & potato salad).
I would def recommend this place!

I went to Dowd’s with my family last weekend after they appeared on King 5 news on an unrelated story. The food looked good in the story. Good enough to warrant a trip.
The food was excellent. don’t let the looks of the place fool you. The fried chicken, catfish, and pork chops were each individually perfectly seasoned and cooked. the sides were good too. They were out of all deserts but it happens. One of the dishes I had was a catfish bites snack with catfish pieces, fries and a drink for 4.95. the snacker was so much food that it was a complete meal within itself.
The value along with the great southern cuisine make Dowd’s worth the trip to the southern most tip of Tacoma. The prices are good but the food will make you come back.