Red Rock Downtown Barbecue

Great food, great beer, great atmosphere. Gotta have the brisket and Cajun waffle fries.

More people need to come to this place!!! If nothing, go for the multiple happy hours everyday– literally, half off of everything. For me, that means macallans and zombie killers for less than $ 5! C’mon sun
Burnt ends and chicken wings are awesome
The Mac and cheese is amazing
The brisket is kinda dry and the ribs are aight, but overall a great place for some bbq.

I just had the best salad (I can’t believe I just typed that). It is called the fried wedge. It is a blue cheese and bacon salad with a fried egg and brisket on it. The dressing is house made and really good. I can’t wait to have it again. Please keep this on the menu forever.

First time to this downtown Ypsilanti trademark. We got there around 4 and it wasn’t busy at all. Took the servers recommendations on food. Burnt ends, waffle fries, and a burger that was on special. All were great. The sauces are all delicious. There is about 20 beers on tap so I’ll definitely be back for happy hour.

So far the best BBQ I’ve tasted in Washtenaw County. Granted I haven’t tried all that many BBQ joints, but after a trip to Red Rock I don’t feel compelled to seek out others. My brisket came perfectly smoked, if just slightly on the tough side, and the four sauces were all delicious (sweet & hot was my favorite). My wife got the cobb salad that featured brisket, bacon, and 3 cheeses, and pronounced it excellent.
Good as the meaty items were, the brussel sprouts I got as a side stole the show. They were blackened, tender, and dressed with a sweet, thick soy-​ish sauce. I’d go back just for a dish of those. They are a premium side that you have to pay a couple bucks extra for, but worth it. (And yes, you can order them a la carte.) The only real off note was my sweet potato fries. They were crunchy and crisp but didn’t taste much like sweet potato.
The draft beer menu isn’t huge but it is diverse and has lots of quality selections, which last night included 3 different bourbon barrel stouts.
We got seated quickly and were well taken care of by our server. On all counts, one of the more satisfying dinners out we’ve had in a while.

Had the red rock duo, brisket and pulled pork with collard greens and garbage fries for sides. Very good will be back. Old building very well-​maintained nice atmosphere. Save 10% by using Unilocal first time users.

Very disappointed that they discontinued their regular happy hour. They also stopped serving wing Wednesday. We frequented Red Rock about once a week. Probably won’t be back or might be back if they bring back their regular happy hour. The food is good.

Came in 10 mins before the kitchen was closing (Didn’t know that, got there at 10:50pm, kitchen closes at 11pm, place closes at Midnight), but the staff was real cool and so we ordered quickly. and not trying to be the customers that come in 10 mins before. The food was great– the Ribs, beef brisket, waffle fries, mac and cheese and Cole slaw. The ribs and the cole slaw was my favorite, the cole slaw had a peppery taste which i loved and never had before, bc usually its sweet. The ribs were falling off the bone, and the dry rub was really good plus getting the different sauces that were on the table. The guy who waited us was awesome too, trying to order quickly we asked about couple of things on the menu and he didn’t try to rush us or anything and got the food order out quickly. Really recommend the place!
the drinks were mixed well.

Still love this place. Came in last night with my buddy who is in from out-​of-​town. I wanted to try a couple new things since I have a bad habit of ordering the same stuff over and over at places that I really like.
We split an order of burnt ends and Cajun wings to start. Normally I like my burnt ends to be a little more burnt, but they had really good flavor and we wasted no time devouring them. The Cajun wings are phenomenal. «Phenomenal» isn’t a word I just toss around. The skin was so crispy and delicious that we ended up ordering another order because they were so damn good. Normally, I’m not a bleu cheese person, but their preparation of their bleu cheese was on point. It didn’t have a major «bleu cheesy» flavor, which I appreciated. It was creamy, subtle and very good.
They had a Cuban sandwich on special. We split it. It had pork belly on it and it was unreal. We both wished we had ordered our own being the true fatasses that we are. So good.
Service was on point once again. Can’t wait to get back.

When a friend recommends a restaurant strongly, you take it and just run with it. Pork gets the front of the line pass my friend. Barbecue is also the best way to cook this heaven sent meat, and red rock is the place to get it when you’re in the area.
These friends of ours couldn’t stop talking about their nachos. It’s probably the last thing that comes to mind if I’m ordering something at a restaurant, but ok, we put one in. Burnt ends was placed then the sampler platter for the win. Food arrives shortly and we begin to destroy.
Yummy in my tummy says the nachos, which is topped with their pulled pork. It’s totally amazing, now I know why my friends husband was so adamant about these darn nachos. The burnt ends are exceptional, I could probably eat that all day. That right there sir, is darn good drinking food. The sampler platter arrives, brisket, ribs, half chicken, mac and cheese, greens, corn bread, and last but not the least, brussel sprouts. All of the above is extremely destructive, trust me, you will be dreaming about this later on tonight.
It’s good honest no holds barred competition with that one restaurant in corktown. Yea I said it, and yes that is a very bold statement.
Thank you very much for your time spent reading my review. Follow me on instagram and snapchat: rodtorres3
Weeeeeeeeeeee

In recent years it seems like Red Rock has changed their menu a few times taking away things people love only to bring them back months later which is frustrating.
Red Rock in my opinion is the best place in Ypsilanti to get BBQ, not the best ever, but the best in Ypsi. It’s decently priced $ 10-​$ 14 per person without alcohol. They have a variety of sauces including a very delicious mustard/​Creole type of sauce that I’ve yet to see any where else.
My favorite thing to get there is regular pulled pork with the waffle fries and the fruit slaw (when they still had it). When you go make sure to study the menu, you can get a good deal by being thrifty. If you just want pulled pork and slaw then get the pulled pork sandwich, just about the same amount of meat plus some slaw for $ 3-​$ 4 cheaper than just getting pulled pork.

Probably the best salad (with strips of beef included) I have eaten (please keep in mind that I rarely eat salads, maybe once every couple of months.)
Great job guys!

WOW! This place inspired me to write my very first Unilocal review.
So we just drove all the way from Las Vegas to our new home in the Ypsilanti area. An insane 4 day trip. Didn’t know anything about the area and we hadn’t shopped for groceries yet, so we just took a chance and went to the closest BBQ place on the GPS. Are we GLAD we found Red Rock Downtown BBQ! It’s in a quaint little old-​town main street area with some funky shops.
Let me just get to the point… The food and service was AMAZING!
John our waiter came over right away with a genuine smile and when we told him it was our first time there, he took the time to pretty much explain the entire menu to us as far as the favorite items and craft beers and how they were prepared. He then gave us some time to decide and we decided on the «Perfect Tri-​fecta», which includes brisket, pulled pork and dry-​rubbed ribs, as well as two sides and the most delicious, moist corn muffins with actual corn kernels in them!
It is very rare for me to say this, but EVERY SINGLE ITEM we ordered was scrumptious… and plentiful!
Brisket — 4 long slices, tender and tasty
Ribs — I’d say about 8 pork ribs (two mini racks), tender and generously rubbed with their tasty mix
Pulled Pork — LITERALLY melts in your mouth!
Greens — some of the best we have ever had. Chunks of meat and perfect tangy spice.
Brussel Sprouts — Glazed with a bacon glaze (?) and sprinkled with shaved parmesan.
(I normally can’t stand em, but the BF wanted to order them — he loved em)
Since I wasn’t fond of brussel sprouts in general, we ordered another side and made it their mac n’ cheese. OOOO MMMM GGGG!!! The best I have ever had (and that’s saying a LOT).
Sooo rich, buttery and gooey, with more melted cheese on top.
Oh, and there are a variety of house-​made sauces on each table. We liked the «original» best. SO GOOD!
Our waiter checked back on us often. Needless to say, we were perfectly satisfied AND we could only eat about half and took the rest home!
We can’t wait to go back and try the «build your own mac n’ cheese». SCORE!

The burnt ends are so juicy and tender. I also, had the Mac & cheese with bacon and grilled onions yummy;)

We would have loved to try this restaurant, but they apparently don’t know how to organize their staffing around the busy times in their business. We were told that there was a 30 minute wait at lunchtime on a Thursday because they didn’t have enough staffing. There were empty tables everywhere, and when I questioned the manager, he rudely told us that he could seat us and give us terrible service, or he could give excellent service to those who were already seated. We promptly left.
Rude service before even being seated is quite a feat. We won’t be back.

Hey hey hey! They sell B. Nektar Zombie Killer, the food is delicious. The vibe here is chill and the smell of BBQ is perfectly appealing to a Carolina boy. Get in here and enjoy this place. Tell them I sent you!
Cheers!

Saturday happy hour from 4 – 6 half of drafts, who does that?! So I don’t know why ppl don’t like this place! BBQ is bangin, prices are so reasonable and service is really good. Free parking out front. Sauces are amazing. I really like the pulled pork with the vinegar and the brisket with mustard.
Check out the coupons from local paper Clipper Magazine…
Nice atmosphere. Tons of local beers on tap. Shorts founders bells– all the hits! None of this Blue Tractor swill. I get SO sick of BBQ in A2 — it’s shitty and gross and expensive. Not to mention fighting traffic and dueling for parking. Blue tractor is mediocre at best.
Red Rocks been fulfilling my BBQ needs for the past 3 years. Definitely worth the trip to downtown Ypsi!

I wasn’t that impressed the few times I have been here previously, but the key is to know what to order & stick to it. This place is growing on me!
Their beer selection is really really nice! The pulled pork and their sides are the better items on the menu!
Tonight I had the Rock Nachos and they were awesome! Pulled pork, creamy cheese sauce, pico, jalapeños & a bbq drizzle — awesome!
I tried the ribs & brisket other times I was here, both were a little tough for my tastes. Id skip those.
Honestly go with the sandwiches, sides & apps over the larger meal plates for dinner.
The service has always been good and we’ve never had an issue getting a table. I love Ypsi and it’s easier to park and get around over AA.
I haven’t been, but the happy hour looks great with half off drinks from 3 – 6 and 9-​close.

I must say, Red Rock has some high quality Que.
I don’t always order a half chicken, but when I do, it’s from Red Rock– because it’s delicious. Actually, I haven’t found anything there that’s not delicious… Burnt ends, brisket, ribs, wings, cornbread, you name it! And like a traditional BBQ place, when they run out of some items, they’re out for the day.
They also have a great beer selection for all you crafty crafters out there. I’ve spoke with the owner on occasion and was pleasantly elevated by his (and his staff’s) beer knowledge. While visiting the other day, I sipped a Chill Wave Double IPA just that really hit the spot. I really enjoy sitting at the bar when I come in.
I haven’t full out dined here in a while, but based on being a past regular, until I moved away, my only constructive criticism is the table service was spotty dending on who your server was. Often, food would take a while to come out (I could never tell if it was the kitchen or the server) and rounds of drinks went un-​ordered or un-​refilled. In contrast, some servers were on point! Like I said, spotty.
Regardless, I would come here again to eat any day of the week.

I only recently discovered Red Rock, and it has become a favorite «go to». I love their burnt ends, collard greens, thick sweet potato fries, and bbq sauces. Their other sides are flavorful as well, and I have also had good ribs, brisket, and pulled pork. I have been disappointed a couple of times when I take out-​of-​town folks there specifically for the burnt ends, only to be told they don’t have any. Thus the reason for the 4 stars. I realize burnt ends are only available when brisket is smoked also, but if they’re on the menu, they should be available, especially early in the evening (5 – 6:30pm) which is when we have been told they are out.
Love the atmosphere, friendly waitstaff, and variety of bbq sauces. Making a dipping paste using their rub and the North Carolina sauce is a wonderful, delicious combination on any type of meat. Since my family is from Lexington, North Carolina, we are sort of North Carolina BBQ snobs and Red Rock’s North Carolina bbq sauce (we call it dip) is pretty close to the «real thing» and much like what we make at home. Nice job. Most places don’t get it right.
Haven’t had dessert yet, but was there once when they had peach cobbler on the board. Wish I would have tried it. Someday I will!