Review Bluebonnet Barbecue - Brunswick East

Given that Bluebonnet is in our top 3 favourite restaurants, there was no hesitation in requesting Mabel be at our wedding. Several lockdowns and reschedules later, Chris was eager to meet with us and honour all previous plans. By the time the day arrived, it was like having a friend cater for us. Chris thrived with every challenge and bizarre aesthetic request we threw at them, from the steep dirt tracks and cold cast iron trays we provided, they went above and beyond and made it all work. Bluebonnet stood out as a feature of our event with a 'meat ceremony' presented in our Viking hall. And the food! It was glorious! Beef brisket, lamb and pork belly, as well as the smoked jackfruit absolutely blew our guests away. Our veg and vegan friends were catered for (though some were seduced by the meat.. and tried it..). The vegetarian options were also sought after by all. Everything was simply delicious! We aim to relive this experience for the rest of our lives!

Easily the best American smokehouse meal I've had in Australia. The brisket and sausage were just brilliant. Smokey, perfectly cooked and very nicely seasoned. The BBQ sauce that's in the glass bottles on the table goes very well. Run by a really nice crew as well. Can't go wrong. I will be back for sure!!

Our first visit to BlueBonnet and we really enjoyed the food. The interior has a Spartan industrial vibe with exposed brickwork, and visible corrugated metal ceilings with exposed beams. There is a warm vibe, especially around the large bar near the front of the restaurant. We visited on a Tuesday night and seating was available, but I'm pretty sure at peak times a reservation is probably a good idea. Especially as bookings are only for 1 1/2hour slots. Parking is an issue on extremely busy Lygon Street and at busy times it can take half an hour or so to find back street parking. Check the signs carefully as parking is restricted to mostly around 2 hours. Staff were great and answered any questions about the meals and were very personable and friendly. It's a Texan style menu and service, which means you order your meat, priced in 100gm lots and it's only the meat. Then you order your sides, chips, salads etc. Interesting range of drinks and cocktails which I thought was reasonably priced. The meats were absolutely delicious, tender, moist and brimming with flavour, and the ribs, brisket etc all had amazing flavourful crusts. Favourites were the brisket, amazing sausages, and side of pork ribs. We only had 2 sides from the very limited range, chips and the slaw which were both excellent. Not sure why the entire range of sides was limited to 2 salads, chips and mashed potatoes and only 2 desserts, as I could see from previous menus they generally have a dozen or so at least. Our entire meal for 3 hungry adults, with drinks, cost $150, which I thought was reasonable given the quality of the food, and we had another full serve of meats left over to take home. We have to say we were uncomfortably cold and during the entire visit, in mid winter, we had to keep our winter jackets on and were still chilled. Also ordering and viewing of the menu is via a QR code and your own mobile. I know this is becoming quite popular in restaurants and makes it easier for venues to mark out of stock items as well as minimises infection risks, but I'm not a fan and much prefer browsing an entire menu on paper etc. This also makes it easier for the rest of the party to compare notes and discuss their selections together, especially as this is a shared plate type of dining experience. Really enjoyed our meals and will definitely return in warmer weather, hopefully with a larger range of sides to try!......I DO love my sides!

Excellent food. Great value (we got the set menu). Staff were very friendly - especially the one who chatted to us about the smoker out the back and about his kettle bbq. Would definitely come back!

Fast friendly service. Big venue, ample room for large gatherings. Menu is great and the quality of food is top notch. Thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Won't disappoint.

Delicious food, great atmosphere and outstanding service! Exceeded every expectation - can not wait to dine here again. We chose the ‘feed me’ option as it was I our first time here. I will order this again!

Hands down the best restaurant I've ever been too, Not only is the food unbelievable with lots of variety and the mouth melting flavours but the staff are the kindest, most thoughtful folk I have ever encountered! They helped me navigate the menu options and made me the best cocktail, exactly what I've been craving for so long! Huge shout out to Mikey the manager he really looked after me. I'll be coming back for more, couldn't give higher praise!

Couldn’t be more happy with the food and service! We came in for a birthday dinner and order the all you can eat option - my god I didn’t not expect the portions to be that HUGE! All the food was delicious, especially the beef brisket and pork belly. Was served by Ben and Mike - both super lovey and helpful. Will definitely be back :)

Holy crap this was good. Tomahawk was a decent cocktail, and the meat was delicious. We had the beef rib (special), sausage of the day, brisket, baby back ribs, pork belly, lamb rib and some sides (cream corn, brussel sprouts, slaw and taters). Our server was a fun girl who loved the food and deserved the tip. Although she had bad luck with her pen, which was hilarious ;-)

Loved it could smell the goodness as I arrived and rewarded by a richly smoked brisket and pork ribs. Came with a great BBQ sauce as well which had some heat. Really recommend trying all their dishes just wish I found this place first.

This was a very good experience. First, the bar is first class, and pre-dinner cocktails went down very well. The food was great. Strangest thing of all is the fact I don't like brussel sprouts, and yet, at a BBQ restaurant the very best dish was the miso glazed sprouts. I kid you not! It's not that meat was poor, it's just sprouts should NOT taste this good! Highly recommended. Great food, great pre-dinner drinks, and a great vibe.

As a native of the American South having lived in Melbourne for 12 years, I can say it's the best BBQ I've found in Australia. Incredibly expensive for what is simple food back home, but the brisket, ribs, and pulled pork are authentic - and very good. The sides are way off - too busy and too gourmet. Next time, give me real baked beans, cole slaw, and potato salad and it would get 5 Stars.

Got the shared meats and sides around $44 each..there were 5 of us that shared 2 slices of brisket which we tryed to share 5 ways but was pretty hard as half of it was fat..the pork rips had no meat on them..the lamb rips where good..chicken was ok.. but not really smoked...lucky for the sides they where yum and helped fill us up.I love music but it was so loud we where yelling over it. ..Waiter was great...All in All food was very nice.

Food was very good 5 stars Staff average 3 stars Venue very poor 1.5 We had a 6:30pm booking for 8 people, it was 38 degrees outside and this place has no fans or aircon. I didn’t stop sweating the whole time I was there. The food was great and staff provided average service, don’t expect anything over and above. For the money I’d go to Brazilian bbq in the city.

As there were 8 of us we had to have the set menu at $42 a head. Ok. Fair cop. But to bring out 4 ribs, 2 biscuits, 1 sausage (albeit largish) and a smidgen of beef cheek was ridiculous. The serves of brisket, pulled pork and pork belly were not overly generous. Either. The meats & sides were each on 1 tray for a long table making it awkward to pass around. Top this off with only 1 bottle of BBQ sauce and no other hot sauces for the entire table. Definitely not value for money. However the staff were fantastic and deserve 5 stars.

Brisket was pretty darn good, and the sides were tasty. But from a Texan, the pecan pie needs help. The chipotle flavor did not sit well. It was no bueno. Otherwise, I recommend for any homesick Texans out there.

Fabulous place. As a barbecue aficionado from Perth I can say this would be the best commercial low and slow I've had. And not too far from the best I've ever had. Only neg was the team could have used an extra waitperson but the staff were courteous, attentive and apologetic for any slight delay. Top notch.

Consistently the best bbq I have had in Melbourne. This place serves the reveal Texas style bbq.

10 people stuffed them selves silly on a Saturday night. Amazing! Great, friendly staff. And we got to take doggy bags home. Highly recommend it. BYO fan � �����

Food was amazing really very tasty salads where a perfect combo to the smokiness of the other food - fast and friendly service. Really enjoyable experience. Will defiantly return there and recommend this establishment to others.

The popup store at Download was absolutely atrocious. We waited 30 minutes for 2 greasy buns ($30). Anytime someone asked about the food the woman serving out was very condescending and dismissive towards patrons. After many complaints they only then started to let people know there was a 20 minutes wait because they were 'pumped'. They were very busy, however being rude to customers and not informing anyone of wait times is just terrible service. Would not recommend.

Holly!!!! This place is amazing. The most satisfying meal I can remember ever having. Staff, food and bartenders are out of control good.

Awesome BBQ, great service with friendly and knowledgeable staff. Enjoyed it so much that I even did the BBQ class they run so I good do it at home. Love your passion.

Excellent attentive service and the food was just to die for. See you guys in your new home

We were a group of 8 people that arrived and spent in excess of $600 on food and drinks, but staff were rude, inattentive, we often had to remind them that we are still waiting on drinks. Waitress rolled her eyes at us 2x and still we remained polite. After 2 hours we were told that there is a 2 hour seating limit and that we have to leave as new group is coming. This would be understandable HAD THE RESTAURANT BEEN BOOKED OUT, but it wasn't. New group could have easily been placed on a different table. Waitress was very dismissive and downright rude, argumentative, unprofessional and confrontational. We are a group who often likes to go out and not just to eat but to socialise. We were celebrating family engagement and we are extremely regretful that we chose this restaurant to have it in. If you are looking for a nice place to eat with great atmosphere I DO NOT recommend this place. Pick anywhere, even McDonald's would be nicer than this place.

Shared a platter with a group. Brisket, and chicken wings were beautiful, as was the coleslaw. Ribs and beef cheeks were fine also. Servers were very friendly and helpful, and the beer was fine. The bourbon menu is awesome.

The beef brisket is so succulent and tender! And I loved the caramelized vinaigrette on the apple slaw. Will be back for more!

Great service. Friendly staff. Food was quickly served. Brisket was delicious. Chicken could be better. Lacked a bit of punch. Lighting wasn’t the best. Trying hard too hard to set a particular mood that doesn’t match what we’re here for. We just want a good feed. Which we did get to be fair. But at the end of the day, I don’t wanna be struggling and squinting.<br/>7.5/10<br/>-1 for the chicken<br/>-1.5 for the poor lighting<br/><br/>Kind regards,<br/><br/>Andy

Loved the smokiness, beetroot salad was awesome, a well balance of strong flavours, spot on. Lamb ribs were our favorite, beautiful crispy crust and tender meat!

When a member of my regular group of dining companions suggested an American style BBQ restaurant I was quite baffled at the choice. This is so not our style of eating. But what the heck we all decided to live on the edge for one night...<br/>We arrived 10 mins early for the booking and we were ushered to the bar. Half way through ordering drinks a rather Bolshy waitress announced our table was ready and to follow her. By the time we gathered ourselves she backtracked to us and virtually barked at us that we could finish ordering our drinks at the table. Yes ma’m!!<br/>Once seated another waitress arrived to explain the menu to us and that there was also a ‘feed me’ banquet menu available. We decided to choose our own options to share - four bbq meats, three salads & a serve of fries between four of us. A bottle of red was also ordered. The meal came out very quickly which was great. The meat came came together on one platter. The waitress suggested 200grams of meat per person. So ordered the house-made sausage - beef, jalapeño & Cheddar. It was very tasty, lightly smoked & moist. Honestly it was very nice but it may have well been a very good Continental Kransky. There was no bite as far as the jalapeño went and no perception of Cheddar at all. Next was brisket - beautifully tender & melt in the mouth moist - a winner here. Lamb ribs was the third option - crisp outside, slightly fatty and falling off the bone tender. Finally the pork ribs. The pieces we received were rather tough & chewy and not actually ribs but more belly rashers. There was a quite lot of gristle / cartilage running through it which made it difficult to eat with either hands or knife & fork. Disappointed here. The salads were quite good especially the beetroot with hazelnut & whipped goats cheese & asparagus with peas, hazelnuts & sheep’s curd. An apple & celeriac slaw was ‘meh’ at best. Once we finished our meal we realised our wine hadn’t been delivered to the table. The waitress apologised and said the barman got “very busy”. We accepted it and managed a glass each. Within moments the bill was slid before us but we wanted to let the food settle and take our time with the wine. Not long after Bolshy waitress arrived and very firmly informed us the table was booked for another sitting and was needed. Yes ma’am!! The venue was not the sort of place to kick back after a meal anyway. They don’t serve coffee so no chance of lingering. Its a large cavernous space, quite busy so noise levels high. Uncomfortable wooden benches & chairs. I looked around the restaurant & noticed most diners were in their 20s & 30s, lots of beards among the males. I felt a little out of my element. However it was worth a try and what we experienced was ok.

I absolutely want to give this place a 5 for the food because everything we had was divine, but unfortunately, when you choose a restaurant you need to consider the entire experience.<br/><br/>The service was borderline woeful.&nbsp;<br/><br/>The waitress seemed moderately annoyed that we didn&#039;t order 300g of meat each (her recommendation, and lucky we didn&#039;t adhere to be honest, we had plenty of food)<br/>To order more drinks, we had to wave staff over or alternately we had to quickly chuck in our drinks order as they were bringing food over - not once did someone approach to ask us if we wanted more drinks<br/>About 15 minutes before our &#039;departure time&#039; was up, the waitress came over and very rudely told us that we were on the clock before flinging the bill down&nbsp;<br/>Dessert was not even offered (I&#039;m not a sweet tooth so I wasn&#039;t bothered but in any case, rude)&nbsp;<br/><br/>I would go again because the food was good, but I would definitely not go on a busy Saturday night again.

Awesome fried smoked chicken! Very different to other fried chickens I’ve had in the past, but wow what a flavour explosion!<br/>We also had smoked brisket, pork ribs and sausage- all meats hit the mark. Buttermilk biscuits and slaw on the side topped off an awesome meal! Our waitress Rebecca was a legend too :)

Beautiful food service not great never once came back to ask if we wanted drinks or if everything was okay - when we asked for more drinks we felt we were asking for a million dollars <br/>

Wow zomato's really got it wrong with the average cost of this place. My friend and I shared 200g of pulled pork, 200g of brisket, chips and a tiny salad which comes out to $70 for what barely accounts for a main. So beware zomato's recommendation that $80 should cover 2 starters, 2 mains, 2 drinks and 1 dessert because it is clearly outdated!<br/>We found the meat a little dry and the flavour lacklustre, the salad was tasty but portion size very small. Service is pretty dismissive, our bill was brought to the table immediately after they cleared the plates, while we still had drinks and no dessert was offered. While its bad service you could understand if they had tables waiting to be seated but the restaurant wasn't even half full so what purpose does pushing us out the door serve when we could have stuck around for dessert and more drinks? The atmosphere is nothing special - its like walking into a long barn with all the tables in a row stacked very close to each other. Overall an expensive and disappointing night out.

Upon entering we were greeted with a smile, straight away we felt welcome. The vibe was great... they even had a pool table. We ordered a selection of meats which were cooked to perfection. We had a great experience and would highly recommend a visit when in Brunswick. We will definitely go there again...

Bluebonnet serves up some mean American barbecue. The meats are soft and juicy unlike some joints that can be quite dry. We ordered some chips, broccolini, pork belly, brisket and sausage. Everything was really tasty, I’d recommend the brisket and pork belly - so good. I loved the seasoning here as it isn’t overpowering with spices but still rich in flavor. We wanted to add an extra seat and the staff were really helpful in trying to move us to a bigger table despite having a full house. Excellent service and amazing food!

Banquet/Feed Me<br/>• Borrowdale Free Range Pork Belly - Amazing<br/><br/>• Bourbon, Ancho & Peach Borrowdale Pork Ribs - nice glaze but meat was dry and skinny? <br/><br/>• Smoked Berkshire Pulled Pork - really dry. I had to pour so much bbq sauce. <br/><br/>• Smoked Angus Beef Brisket - Dry. I had juicer ones. <br/><br/>• Crispy Lamb Ribs - the skin was crispy and coated with spices. But again dry meat. <br/><br/>• Housemade Chorizo - Wasn’t great. Pretty disappointed <br/><br/>• Buttermilk Skillet Biscuit - really good. Best ones I’ve had so far in Melbourne<br/><br/>• Smoked then Fried Chicken - tender and moist. <br/><br/>• Smoked Potato Mash - Really good mash, brisket sauce was really yum. <br/><br/>• Winter Salad - such a weird combo. And completely ruined the salad itself.<br/><br/>• Fried Brussel Sprouts - So good. The best dish of the night. <br/><br/>• Foreaged Mushroom - sauce was like carbonara. Pretty yum. <br/><br/>Overall: Really good side dishes. Meats were a let down. Really good service.

Pretty bloody good. Go as a group of 4 mates and ask for 100G of every meat on the menu. Friendly staff, cold beer, pool table and probably the best BBQ meat I’ve had outside of my old mans BBQ. Plenty of great pubs within a 5 min walk to make it part of a good night out. Highly recommend.

Oh dear, I’ve found my ‘go to place’ for ribs. This place is just awesome with the most incredible menu that follows up with tasty food coming out with generous portion sizes. The variety of meat you can choose from is lengthy so there is something for everyone. Dietaries catered for. My friend tried the pork belly and raves about it. And yes - vegetarians are accommodated. Place can be a little noisy so perhaps not for a first date. <br/>Staff are very helpful and know the menu very well. <br/>Wheelchair friendly. Kid friendly. High chairs available. Stroller/pram accessible. Parking - well just be careful as the parking inspectors are dynamite.

The place can be very busy, so book before you go. They have the standard BBQ/Steak menu with some specials. The service staff was good. I didn't see any kids, everyone was above 18 years old.

Although the restaurant atmosphere, the presentation of the food and service itself was great, I cannot say the same for the food. For the price that you’re paying, you’d hope the meat would be at least somewhat tender.. <br/><br/>I ordered a selection of the pork belly, brisket, lamb etc. and unfortunately it all quite dry and not enjoyable. However, the drinks and desserts were delightful.<br/><br/>I’m not sure if it was just a bad night or I just got the bad cuts considering the other reviewers had the opposite experience.<br/><br/>However, I decided to give it another go via their food truck version.. needless to say I am just as disappointed. Two pieces of meat between a very thick dry hotdog style bun. No sauce no nothing not even toasted...for $15.<br/><br/>I feel they should really re-evaluate.

After quite a few months of searching for the <br/>best venue for my party, I found Bluebonnet BBQ. Lucas, the manager was a star. The food was delicious: catering for carnivores, big eaters, 'gluten intolerants' and a couple of vegetarians (who raved about their menu!).

Unfortunately I was left slightly disappointed after my dining experience at Bluebonnet last night. We were told the biscuits, Brussel sprouts and beef cheek were not available. This was at 6pm on a Saturday night which in my opinion isn’t really acceptable. We were advised how much food to order and were given attitude by our server when we apparently hadn’t ordered what she considered to be enough food even though it turned out to be plenty of food for the 5 of us. After our mains were cleared we weren’t offered dessert and instead had the bill placed on our table and told we have 15 mins before we have to leave. The food we did have was good but due to the service and the annoyance of certain menu items not being available I will not be returning any time soon.

Came here with my boyfriend and was unfortunately disappointed. We made a booking and were seated at probably the worst table in the restaurant against a pillar so I was half hanging off the bench seat and pillar right up my back. My boyfriend asked if it was possible to move as there were plenty of spare tables. The guy at the front was rude and sarcastic about it. From then on we felt unwelcome. The brisket was very dry. The sausage was very unpleasant. If you want great meat and service you should check out Dexter in Preston!!!

Bluebonnet was a great new years eve dinner! Reserving a table was easy online. We ordered the pork ribs, pork belly and brisket for meat and apple slaw, broccolini (no salsa verde) and for the non-coeliacs, cornbread and fries. The meat was amazing, no faults there at all. The slaw, fries and broccolini were amazing. I literally ate the whole bowl of slaw alone it was so good. My friend had a different experiemce with the corn bread. She said it was less like classic cornbread and more like wheat bread with some corn flavour and garlic. Maybe a traditional cornbread would appeal more. The service was great and the staff were lovely.

Made the trek from the eastern burbs last night over to Bluebonnet after reading the review in the paper earlier this month. Kicked off with making a reservation. Unable to do this through a phone call and was forced into doing this via web site. This is a great idea but not so good when you are driving around in traffic. Spare a thought for people that don’t use the web. BBQ barns are a novelty. I don’t know why but I was expecting to see the product being cooked in the back ground. I have been to a few of these restaurants over the years and this seems to be a prerequisite. With that aside the food was good. Limited selection and again this is only my opinion based on other establishments I have frequented. The atmosphere was quiet on this visit but I am sure when busy it would become quite loud. They do have time restrictions on dinning. Down fall is parking.... you might have more luck getting six numbers and the sup.<br/>

Would prefer to rate this as 3.5 rather than a 3. I am a huge fan of American bbq so after reading many reviews I was pretty keen on trying the place out. We came for a late dinner on a Friday night around 9.30, the kitchen closed at 10 so we still had time to order. The staff were super friendly and they didn't rush us at all. Between the 5 of us we ordered the brisket, pork belly, lamb ribs, pork ribs and pulled pork and a couple of different sides. My favourites were definitely the pork belly which was super tender, the pulled pork was also very soft and the crispy lamb ribs were so tasty. Unfortunately the pork ribs I felt were a little dry. We also ordered some long islands from the bar and they were nice and strong. The atmosphere is chill, I would definitely come back for more food and drinks with friends.

4 of us had various of meat, 2 bowls of chips! Got a potato salad on side on every meat dish. Lovessss the pork belly~ soo tender, tasty😍 <br/><br/>It didn’t look much, but it is really filling!! :)

Ribs were great however the brisket was dry. The best thing we ordered was the broccolini. We spent almost $200 however weren't allowed to split the bill between 2. I've been to Chinese restaurants with the worst hospitality that are more considerate. The place is spacious however the lighting really does the space no justice. Unfortunately I give this place 2 years. Broadsheet can only promote this establishment for so long without looking silly. #noreturncustomers

Really friendly staff, who were also informative and helpful. The food was cooked to perfection, couldn't fault the meat dishes at all. P.s if you are feeling up for it, highly recommend the whiskey sour!!

First time at this lovely place on a Monday night. There are still many people when we arrived at eight. The dishes are all for sharing, small plates like black garlic cornbread and wood roasted broccolini are quite nice. It is great to have the option to choose from 100g or 200g for the BBQ meat. The smoked black angus brisket is my favorite, tender and flavoursome with their sour and sweet sauce.

First time at their permanent home in Brunswick, has an amazing design second only to the baby back ribs! One of the best in Melbourne! Would definitely recommend for anyone after some really good barbecue!

The best beef brisket I've had in Melbourne, hands down. Melt in the mouth, perfectly smoky flavoursome pulled pork. Juicy tender smoked chicken. The potato salad was delish and a perfect side dish. The staff were super friendly, helpful and patient. Even though it was very busy, the staff took the time to make recommendations and answer our questions with lots of description. Will definitely be back.

Great service, that was the best part of the place but also they serve delicious Smokey food, a fair range of good drinks and beer...definitely will come back

Good quality American style bbq. Plenty of tasty beers on tap.<br/>Highly recommend the blackened garlic cornbread. Pork ribs are a good choice.<br/>Takeaway is available.<br/>

We visited the new restaurant last night after previously dining at the old one and loving it! My husband and I both loved the new venue and the food, wow! Everything we had was absolutely delicious. We tried the cornbread, broccolini, brisket, pork belly, lamb rib and sausage. It was all so good, but I’d highly recommend the brisket and lamb rib. The staff were very friendly and helpful. I’m certain we will be back!

What we could order -the brisket - was nice but they had run out of pork ribs, pork belly, snag and chook. We had hoped to order a few things.When we sat down we were told they had enough of everything except the belly so maybe by time they finally took the order was what caused that or maybe he gave us wrong info.....Ordered broccolini but skipped dessert as still needed more mains. It said 12- late and we ordered at 2:15 and already out of most items!! We had booked also. Bit disappointing and still hungry!!

*****EDITED AND UPGRADED TO 4 STARS***** <br/>i went back last night with my boyfriend and we got to try the brisket finally and it was amaaaazing. The pork belly was incredible once again and the snag was even better, it was just so meaty and rich it was just out of this world.<br/><br/>What i lover also was that this time the main host, i think his name is Lucas (?), remembered us from our last trip and welcomed us back and was just so friendly and genuine. The servers were on point tonight, they all really honestly seem to love working there, they’re super nice and give warm service.<br/><br/>I decided to upgrade my review because the food from last time that we got again was just as good if not better, the service was excellent and they didn’t have anything unavailable. <br/><br/>(original review is below)<br/><br/><br/><br/>——————-<br/><br/>Ooooh been waiting for ages for this place to open! <br/><br/>I have to preface this by saying the pork belly was probably the best pork belly i’ve ever had in my life...ever.<br/><br/>But was disappointed that there was no brisket left, we went on a Wednesday night too. Super annoyed since we went there wanting to mainly try that. But that can be forgiven, but could have also been our fault since we did have the later sitting in the evening. Also, took a long time to order, 4 servers setting tables and no one looking to see if we wanted to order. The restaurant was not too busy either. But that’s ok, no biggie honestly.<br/><br/>The maître’d was attentive and friendly as well. <br/><br/>The baby back ribs were seasoned well and thankfully not slathered in a sticky sweet sauce, it’s brushed with a semi sweet jalanpeno sauce apparently, i liked it but for the price was hoping to have my socks knocked of, don’t get me wrong though, they were juicy and meaty. <br/><br/>The pork belly is just seasoned with salt and pepper and is PERFECT. I did not like the pulled pork at all, boyfriend loved it, for me it was dry and tasteless but he swears it wasn’t (jury is out). The house made snag was fantastic, there was cheese in it and it was juicy and rich, fat poured out of it when you bit into it but i actually love that lol <br/><br/>The sides were delicious , i loved the baby gem lettuce and the broccolini. But, i think for the price, you’d think you’d get a bigger serve.<br/><br/>3 Stars because it’s a mish masher review but i will return and i’ll know what to order. Am excited to have that pork belly again and the snag.

Great food but Rude staff, even if you are booked out there is no reason to patronise your potential customers.<br/>Such a shame it used to be a great place

Visited blue bonnet yesterday and all in all, we thought the previous location had a better menu. Waitress was extremely friendly but the menu, had I seen it posted on the website beforehand, not a huge winner for me.<br/><br/>At the previous spot our favourite was the brisket and the beef cheek and chips. This time round, they had chicken on the menu but no chicken available that night. They had only 1 beef option, 1 lamb, nd the rest were pig. Considering I dont eat pig, I got all I could order which was the brisket and lamb ribs. My friends ordered everything else on the menu though and said the pork belly and brisket were their favourites. Everything else just wasnt a huge hit. Pulled pork was dry and pork ribs and lamb ribs were average. Also when the food came out, after I said I dont eat pork, my brisket was on top of the pork ribs my friends had ordered. Lamb ribs were a little tough and I was expecting them to slide right off the bone.<br/><br/>They also unfortunately got rid of the side of chips so we couldn't have that either.<br/><br/>Brisket was extremely soft delicious but it was the only meat we mostly all enjoyed. The corn was really good, as was the potato salad and brocollini. The slaw, again was better at the previous location but still nice, was definitely missing apples that the menu said it had though.<br/><br/>Took about 5mins to flag a waiter to ask for the bill at the end, we understand it was super busy given opening night. But then get told theres a 1.8% surcharge for eftpos which is just.. well.. annoying. Especially when you're spending $230 between 4 people. So we did order quite a lot and if you order just what you love on the menu then the prices would probably be about 40 - 50 each as you need a couple of sides also. That's excluding drinks.<br/>Payment was slow, think the register person could be trained a little better on how to use it.<br/><br/>All in all, I would return but only when the chicken is available and also get the brisket and corn.<br/><br/>Homemade bbq sauce is also nice.

NO TIME FOR LONG REVIEWS! I'M HERE TO EAT!! SUMMED UP IN 14 WORDS OR LESS!!!<br/><br/>---All the meats. Moreish and refined. All the smaller plates... Oh my sides!---<br/><br/>For the full review... head over to my website! Link found on my Instagram profile :D <br/>For the visual stimulationz... head over to my Instagram! Link found below :D

Love this place! I come here on special occasions only... simply because the food is unbelievable and I consider it a massive treat to have it! It never fails to disappoint

Great food and meats are fantastic.  I have eaten here on many occasions.  Highly recommend.  And not over priced like many meat places.  Give this place a go.  Will become a regular for those like myself that dine out a lot.

Amazing meats. Came here with the family and ordered "The Feast". Easily in the top tier for american-style smoke meats in Melbourne. Everything on the platter was lovely, particularly liked the brisket and pork ribs. Yum.

Love this place for smoked bbq meats. The staff was very efficient in explaining the menu. <br/>I absolutely loved the crispy lamb ribs and kipfler potato salad.

All you can eat !!!! <br/>The catch was no lamb at all or Beef cheeks included in the 'all you can eat'... Aaargh :(<br/>3 rounds<br/>- Sausages 3/5<br/>- Beef Brisket 4.5/5<br/>- Chicken 4/5<br/>- Pork Belly 2/5<br/>-  Sides - 1/5<br/>- Pulled Pork 3/5<br/>- Pork ribs 3/5<br/>- Service - 2/5<br/><br/>Definitely do not go for all you can eat as we learnt it the hard way. Al La Carte your way in and you'll spend $35

Will come back for:<br/>+ Brisket<br/>+ Pork Belly<br/>+ Pork Ribs<br/>+ Beef Cheek<br/>+ Grilled Melon and Heirloom Tomato<br/>+ Pecan Pie<br/><br/>I love this place. Anytime I feel like smoked bbq meats, I think of this place. We came here to have one last meal before they move to their new location in Carlton, and as usual, had a great time with some great food. We ordered our own meats (Brisket, Pork Belly, Beef cheek, Pork Ribs and the smoked chicken - all were scrumptious, Smokey, and went really well with the house bbq sauce as well as some chilli sauces). We also ordered some sides (grilled melon, carrots, potato salad) to go with the meats. Together with a pint of your favourite beer, finish with a pecan pie. What else could you want? Service was great, and the space was cosy and great for a group. Prices is above average for sure, but the amount of work that goes into smoking the meats you kinda understand where it’s all going. Will definitely check them out in their new home when they reopen there.

I visited Bluebonnet Barbecue reasonably early on a Saturday night for dinner. After seeing the great reviews and in the mood for American Barbeque I decided to give it a try. My meal was the “You Bloody Ripper” which I shared with someone else, it was overpriced and the sides were underwhelming. The ribs were tender although I think under seasoned. The meal was suggested by our waitress to share but I would definitely recommend ordering more meat. Service was attentive but almost overwhelming with 3 different wait stuff asking if we would like to order once we had already placed an order. Considering the location there are more inner city venues which I believe deliver better food and better value for money. <br/>

Awesome. I've come here often. Great american-style BBQ and all the delicious fixings to go with it. Great brisket, great sides. Smokey pork, good beer selections. Get a nice API to wash it all down and you're sure to be back here. I've been to all their venues (they only operate one at a time but their original one in Collingwood burnt down and then they were operating out of a pub in Carlton somewhere whilst their new venue was being decked out). Great new venue too.

The_littlehungrylife<br/>I can honestly say we enjoyed most of what we had ordered. However we found the pork belly a little dry but nothing a little bbq sauce can’t fix. This a perfect restaurant to take a big group and those who are meat lovers! <br/><br/>The atmosphere was very trendy and comfortable. Even when it got dark the restaurant has great lighting, which helped keep the ambience of the restaurant. <br/><br/>I thought the staff were amazing and very efficient. They were attentive and took the time to check back at appropriate times. <br/><br/>I would highly recommend coming to try out their dishes!<br/><br/>Find out more on my website and Instagram <br/><br/>www.thelittlehungrylife.com.au

Had burgers and slaw outside on a warm summers night which was spot on. Good feel to the place, very friendly staff and the owner was very accommodating. Nice local to try.

The best and most authentic American BBQ in Melbourne.<br/><br/>I cannot fault the taste and tenderness of all the meat I've tried at Blue Bonnet. There is excellent bark on the ribs and brisket and a great flavour profile with a balance of salty, sweet and spicy. All signs of proper authentic Southern BBQ.  <br/><br/>The menu is a little limited in variety which is why I do go to Le Bon Ton every so often for more variety, but other than that, it's on the money!<br/><br/>I eat a lot of BBQ both in the US and here in Australia, this Pitmaster is one of the best I've had.

Went to Loretta's Bluebonnet BBQ for our wedding anniversary celebration. Opted a special banquet only offered for the Xmas period. First course- loved loved loved the beef brisket- it was an explosion of flavours in very tender melt-in-your-mouth meat. Pulled pork was really good too but even that paled in comparison. Absolutely loved the slaw and potato salad. <br/><br/>Second course- pork belly and pork ribs with zucchini and hazelnut salad. So yummy that i forgot to take a pic! Pork belly was again tender and full of flavour and love, but pork ribs were a tad dry. <br/><br/>Third course- BBQ chicken and pork belly with polenta and pulled pork. By now our tummies were about to explode. I don't usually like polenta but this was really yummy. BBQ chicken had a crispy skin and juicy meat inside but not as flavoursome as the rest. <br/><br/>Finale- yeah! Snag - we were really looking forward to this but we both found it a bit dry and tbh, not the best we've had tasted. Corn bread was interesting- savoury yet sweet at the same time. I loved it but not the rest of my family who tasted it when I brought home some leftovers-yes, they allowed us to bring home leftovers!<br/><br/>Overall, a true degustation. Don't go for dinner after having a heavy brunch (which I did mistakenly). Will be back for the beef brisket and pale ale!

Stopped by for a Saturday lunch with friends and it was surprisingly quiet. <br/><br/>We all shared a selection of meats and sides, which given the size of the dishes would be the recommended way to go. <br/><br/>With terms of meat we had, the lamb ribs were a stand out for me. The brisket was very good but not every piece we had was succulent and some were a little dry. The beef and pork sausage was pretty good and so too was the chicken. <br/><br/>In terms of sides, the coleslaw was fresh and light with coriander and not too much dressing, given the richness of the other food it was a great accompaniment. The potatoes topped with fried capers were great but the heirloom carrots were a little sweet. <br/><br/>All in all we really enjoyed our meal, which was reasonably priced. I’d be back.

What can I say other than amazing! I organised a dinner with a group of friends and due to the size we had to have the set menu. This gave us a selection of all the meats (pork belly, brisket, beef cheek, chicken, ribs and more) and about 6 sides. Everything was absolutely spot on. The service was great and the venue is a nice old pub. You won't be disappointed. For comparison the food at Bluebonnet is better than Le Bon Ton.

Lovely venue with a warm inviting environment. The food was pretty good and cocktails were delicious. Come here with an empty tummy as the food was super filling (we got a mixed platter)

Couldn't fault Bluebonnet! The service was friendly and the food came out quickly on a busy Sunday night. Everything comes out together on a platter with generous servings of everything. <br/><br/>The smoked chicken was the standout for me - flavoursome, and it virtually fell off the bone 👌🏼

I don't know why this place gets good reviews! It is extremely overpriced and to be honest, not that great. <br/>If you want an American BBQ, head to Fancy Hanks.

MEAT! Ordered 5 different types of meat there was a few of us so a great way to share and try loads. Drink selection is good too, nice big space we spent a few hours here for a friends birthday and would love to return.

Super meat centric venue. Came here last night for a friends birthday and for $42pp it was reasonable value although not greatly so. All of the "healthy" side dishes were served with lashings of butter and salt so if you are after something to balance out the abundance of meat, nothing on the menu really does the trick

One word. Expensive. Few more words just to fill up zomato requirements. Well this place is really good for groups and bar drinks night, but burns your wallet for what they serve. Well I guess American food in Melbourne is always pricey. Set aside that, the food was delicious, the entree were well priced but just the meat cuts were a little on a stingy side. What you shouldn't order: lamb ribs and beef cheeks. 2 pieces of lamb ribs is already $11. I guess those with bones, don't border to order, waste of money. Had the Angus brisket, pork belly, chicken Maryland cuts were delicious and ok to order depending on your budget opinion. I reckon quite worth it. The cheese corn side dish was fabulous! The bone marrow was to die for! Highlight of the dish for the night.

A great improvement on the the original Star Hotel. Food is based on barbecue cooked meat. Food is exceptional and if you have time grab a drink at the bar in the front.

As I drive closer and closer to meet my tall handsome date I cannot contain the excitement rising inside me. My heart begins to race, my stomach is a flutter and I can almost taste the tender, succulent morsels of Texas style barbecued meat. Mmmm barbecued meat, ooh am I drooling? Yes, yes I am.<br/><br/>Taking the short walk from my car in the quiet residential streets of Fitzroy North I feel as though I have stumbled upon one of Melbourne’s hidden gems. Bluebonnet Barbeque is a beautiful old pub that has the perfect blend of rustic yet modern interior. Sitting at my table looking around the room at all of the eager eaters I begin to experience the ambiance created by the lighting that seem set to the perfect mood for an intimate evening, hang on is that my date? Did he just walk past me? He did just walk past me!<br/><br/>Never mind for my tall handsome date wastes no time in making me laugh. I look up at him with an insatiable hunger in my eyes lean forward and ask “what are you ordering?” He leans in close and replies, “I can’t decide.” Perusing the menu I feel like a kid in a candy store, so many delicious meat dishes to choose from, how does one choose? Just as my date and I are about to have a melt down not knowing where to start with the menu the lovely waitress advises that 200g of meat per person with a couple of sides to share is usually enough.<br/><br/>With this most expert advice we finally decide on the ever so romantic option of sharing our meat and order 100g of Smoked Black Angus Brisket, Smoked Berkshire Pulled Pork, Crispy Lamb Ribs, Daily House made Snag and for the side the Cheddar & Bacon Biscuit with Caramelised Onion Butter and I will have a High Tea At Tuscan to wash that down with please.<br/><br/>This High Tea At Tuscan has got to be one of the tastiest drinks I have ever had! I can taste the different layers in the drink from the bourbon to the curacao and waitress just keep these babies coming please!!<br/><br/>With some extra lubrication, the conversation and laughter flows between my date and I with unexpected ease, I feel as though I could talk to him ….. ooh foods here, can’t talk eating. Oh my the brisket just melts in my mouth, the succulent pork is a delicacy on my tongue whilst the crispy lamb falls from the bone and the chipotle sauce in the house made snag lights up my taste buds as the flavours dance upon my tongue. I have died and gone to meat eater’s heaven! <br/><br/>What? My date? Oh, my date, where does it go from here? I can’t tell you that, but I can tell you I will definitely be back to Bluebonnet Barbecue for an extremely satisfying experience again.

After trying a few buzzed about BBQ joints around town I'm starting to wonder whether I don't know the real costs of food or - what feels more likely - these much-hyped joints are overcharging for their small portions. And I'm not just talking about meat but even simple dishes like grilled corn on the cob seem way overpriced. And so it was with Bluebonnet BBQ - a place I really wanted to like as I'd drunk at the bar here before and they do a mean pickleback and the staff were really lovely - but I just can't past the prices for the selection of meats and small side dishes that we had, especially when measured against the portion sizes.

The lamb ribs were really great. The rest I think a little too heavy handed on the salt especially the bone marrow. A bit too loud environment.

Had a great dinner here last night. The food was amazing, we ordered four different types of meat to share and some side plates. It was all delicious. The staff were realy friendly and the restaurant had great laid-back feel to it.

Went there with six other friends on Saturday <br/>Had feed us option for six I personally loved the food<br/>Though friends had some complaints about the food <br/>Damn generous portion <br/>There was no chicken on the menu but they put it on share platter was bit disappointed by that but other wise loved it<br/><br/>And those yummy old fashion mate to die for

We live close by and decided to try the well known Bbq meats out.<br/>Place was quite busy and bustling.<br/>We ordered the Pit Masters Pick, 200g Baby back pork ribs, 200g Brisket, 200g Beef Cheeks, Apple Slaw, Bone Marrow With Fig and Pear Chutney and Russet Potato Salad<br/>Everything was well cooked and very nice, disappointed about the small serving of baby back ribs which was just 2 ribs for $23.<br/>The servings of meat were quite small but the sides were very generous.<br/>I found it very pricey for the amount of food we orderd.

I liked this a lot. Beef brisket delicious and so well cooked. They could not let me know if pork was free range or not but could tell me their supplier. Sue enjoyed the sides as she us vego, she would have liked a vego main. Deserts again delicious pecan pie and red velvet cake did not enjoy pepper berry ice-cream which was icy and quite peppery. All in all a very pleasant meal with very good service and reasonably priced drinks. We will be back, with friends.

We were pretty excited about coming to visit Bluebonnet to start. We loved the ribs we tried at the Flemington BBQ fest just a few weeks ago and decided to make the long trek up to Fitzroy North. The experience started off great with a very cheerful server who was able to articulate the menu and provide recommendations. But then things started to go downhill. The food came out unbelievably salty. I'd understand if it was only one or two things, but the entire meal was heavily and over seasoned... and our party can all take salt quite well. It wasn't just the rub, it seeped into the meat. Granted, the meat was quite tender but the amount of salt just detracted from any other kind of flavours. Even the bone marrow was almost inedible. We were all super hungry so we ate the meal nonetheless. We proceeded to provide some feedback to our server on the salt level, thinking merely to provide feedback to the kitchen in case it was a one-off as we had a great tasting just a few weeks ago (definitely not really meant it as a complain to send food back). Our server, cheery and great to start, instead of just politely replying that she will pass on the feedback (which we were expecting like almost all the other times we've provided feedback at other places), she proceeded immediately switch to "attack mode" and "blamed" us essentially for not being to "handle" salt! The tasting at the BBQ Fest was nowhere near this salt level. We were all speechless. Unbelievable. A simple "thank you for the feedback, I will pass it on" would have sufficed. We weren't looking for an apology from a server. To add "salt" to the wound, she decided to comp our sparkling water which cost all of what ~$3!!! That was almost an insult. We weren't looking for comps and if you're comp-ing, we did not provide feedback on the water! I usually don't like to be so negative, but I'm still dumbfounded to this day.

as far as American bbq goes this is the best I've had in Melbourne so far, and this is coming from a bloke who's old man lives by his personal smoker, im not a skinny individual and even I couldn't finish it.<br/>Highly recommend!

As far as American BBQ goes it's pretty good. The sides are tasty and the meat is cooked right. The pork ribs and brisket were a stand out. The cocktails were also top notch. It's a nice place and a nice meal.

A trip to the US, learning directly from pit masters about their craft, has resulted in Chris Terlikar birthing a baby of his own – Bluebonnet Barbeque. After a devastating fire at his original Collingwood restaurant, Terlikar soldiered on to take up a temporary residency at Carlton’s John Curtin Hotel.

Friday night feels in a BBQ joint...The run up was a little fraught; long day at work, no parking to be found but we made it and it was worth it. The hospitality is warm, and so is the temperature in the room so be prepared especially when gorging on trays of meat. The whole eating business can get a bit hot but that's what the drinks are for right?

Visited Bluebonnet recently with a group of friends. We were told we had to partake in the $42 per head banquet because it was a large group booking. We figured this was fine as we've done it happily at other places many times before. Our waitress was about as friendly and outgoing as a wet sponge and her interest in our table was minimal. She sat us down, counted that there were ten of us, never explained what the banquet would entail and left to the kitchen. In honesty, the food was served very quickly but for ten people we one tiny 5x5cm tray of maybe six sides to share, and one platter of meat. There were three pieces of chicken Maryland style, so we had to tear at it like animals to break it up, maybe three ribs and three pieces of brisket and a couple of pieces of pork. The menu states 300g of meat per person. For $42 I ended up with a drumstick and half a piece of brisket and a teaspoon of each side and two chilli fries. There was no communication from the waitress either whether this was all the food or if more was coming, obviously because there wasn't. It was an absolute rip off. If you're deciding on bbq places to try, go to Fancy Hanks South Melbourne or Le Bon Ton in Collingwood. Avoid bluebonnet like the plague. $23 for a cocktail too. Unbelievable what places think they can get away with.

We came here for a friends birthday after hearing rave reviews about this place and wow were we all disappointed. We had to get the $42 set menu because we had 10 people but we didn't even get that much food as part of the deal. At most, all everybody got to eat was a couple tablespoons amount of each side and a small amount of meat. The meat was very minimal given that it markets itself as a Texan bbq place. The meat I did get to eat was ok, but there just wasn't enough of everything to go around to even try the other meats in the platter. We were so hungry afterwards we all had to stop at Maccas to buy more food.<br/>Never coming here again. Complete waste of money with deceiving advertising on the web. Feast where people share and pick and get to taste all the good stuff? Definitely not the case.

Probably as good as any other American bbq place in Melbourne. The chicken is the pick of the meats in my opinion. However the pork belly is a pretty close 2nd. A good variety of craft beers on tap and in bottles and very friendly staff. A must try if you enjoy smoked meats

We ordered the pitmaster's pick with apple slaw and jalapeño cheese grits on the side. Food was presented on a huge tray and looked glorious. Definitely recommend the jalapeño cheese grits for any cheese-lover; it was soft and pillowy. Even though it's a popular American food you don't see grits on the menu of many American restaurants here. Bonus: live feed (by which I mean literally outside the window) of staff hard at work on the spit roast; these guys mean srs bizznezz.

I had tried bluebonnet 6 months ago and loved it. Just tried it again and it had nothing to do with the one I remembered (in Lygon). New chef apparently... Now they also have this annoying policy that won't let you take your leftovers home. Really dissapointed.

This has been on my list for some time now, and now that I've been, I'm gonna say it's the best BBQ around. Quality meats smoked properly in offset pits, just how it should be, we ordered the set menu between 6 people at 300gm and $42 per person is great value for good BBQ. I was so excited to feast on some black onyx brisket but when the tray came out I was devastated to see only 1 slice of brisket 😡. Between 6 of us we each had a tiny morsel of this delicious slice which was easily the best on the plate. So apart from this gripe I had, the rest was really good. The chicken was so moist, (sorry to those of you who hate that word) but it's BBQ we talkin bout here ha. And the sides were fantastic. The clear standout was the miso glazed Brussel sprouts, I never knew a Brussel sprout could taste so good. Absolutely delicious, could not stop eating them. The atmosphere and service was great, huge beer selection, what more could I want? Well... MORE BRISKET!!!

When I crave meat, I tend to gravitate towards Southern food. Slow-cook BBQ meats can do me no wrong. And today I found out that Bluebonnet BBQ can do me no wrong. The four different meats that we ordered (beef brisket, beef cheeks, pork ribs and sausage) were cooked beautifully, in particularly the tender melt-in-your-mouth beef cheeks and the meat that was falling of the pork ribs. Lip-smackingly good. Even better was the cornbread, so crumbly and moist - we even ordered seconds! The cheese grits, however, was under-seasoned, otherwise it would have been a perfect meal. Somewhat disappointed that there wasn't pies or cobblers for desserts, wouldn't be a Southern meal without them. There was nothing wrong with cookies and milk but I would definitely prefer a pecan pie or a peach cobbler any day. Now when people speak of Southern hospitality, they must be referring to the service at Bluebonnet. The three different ladies that served us tonight were welcoming, sweet and full of warmth that make the wet and dreary weather so much more bearable. A great night of feasting on meat indeed.

We have been going to original Blue Bonnet BBQ since it opened in collingwood. Went there with some friends and told them how good it was or use to be<br/>We were so disappointed the Beef Brisket that use to be fantastic was so disappointing we could hardly eat it.<br/>Wasn't melt in your mouth just beef thin and hardly any taste. The other dishes bland and our friends all agreed will not be going back.<br/>Michael

This is a cool pub / dining place that is about 10-15 minutes' walk from the main streets of Fitzroy and past the major intersection. Stopped by here for a drink with a friend. Grabbed a cranberry juice and one of their small plates of beetroot, pecans, feta and salad (amazing value for $10!). They also have a cool assortment of craft beers that I have never heard of, but my friend said the taste was smooth with a slight sweetness to it. Just chilled at their large fireplace area before the main dining area and enjoyed chatting and catching up. Bartender was cool as well, and gave excellent recommendations. A place I will definitely come back to, to enjoy their scrumptious selection of food that are so creative.

All the meat was perfectly cooked and tender. Great place to catch up with friends. Great selection of wines, ciders and beers. Only criticism is there was no coffee or teas available to accompany desserts. Overall still great night out and 10/10 for customer service.

This place is a gem!! I had 4 different 100gram meats (onyx brisket, pulled pork, beef cheek and pork belly) and chili cheese fries as a side. I have to say all of them tasted so wonderful. The onyx brisket was full of flavor..beef cheek was so tender that it melt in your mouth..i love how smoky the pork belly tasted..however, the pulled pork tasted ok in comparison to the other meats. The chili fries had the perfect spiciness to it. On top of that the service is top notch. I 100% recommend this place for all the meat lovers out there.

Total disappointment .Absolutely not worth for money. 200g bbq lamb rib , for $20 , you will only get one rib.Chips are frozen chips from<br/>Coles .Waste of time and money

We came as a group of 21 and looked after very well! Set menu was perfect and everyone came away very happy. Smoked beef brisket outstanding . Looking forward to coming back <br/>

It's a pleasure to slow burn. Out of the myriad of American BBQ places and pitmasters that has stood up to be noticed in this food crazed town, BB's meats has been the tastiest thus far, albeit perhaps on the small side portion wise (200grams sure ain't like it's used to). Despite that, the beef cheeks was ridiculously good, still melting in front of your very eyes. The pork belly was juicy, the brisket salivating texture-filled and the lamb ribs rich in flavor. The various accompaniments of sides were also good, with the simple slaw stealing the lime light. The only small drawback was perhaps the dessert selection, which was not quite inviting. An addition of an American pecan pie, new York cheese cake or a Southern style dessert like shortcake or Mississippi mud cake would've been welcomed. The ambiance seemed rather simplistic and Spartan, yet the service was very close to Southern hospitality. Still a winner since the food speak for itself.

Food was great and had a really enjoyable night out. The food was very refined with lovely subtle flavours. Loved the sides and meats. Already planning my next trip!

This place is rad! Love the decor and the staff are super cool! <br/>Meats and sides are all amazing! Go the brisket with kipfler potatoes and miso glazed Brussels!

On the positive side, this place has an awesome atmosphere and great food and drink. The fried pickles and chilli cheese fries are amazing and the meat falls off the bone.<br/><br/>On the negative, we ate in the bar area and the staff were not only useless, but in one case also really rude. He forgot our order twice, accused us of making mistakes and just generally incompetent at serving. <br/><br/>The food is probably the best bbq in Melbourne and we found the restaurant staff to be great, I just hope they sort the staffing issues at the bar.

MEEEEEEEAT! From deliriously tender Rangers Valley Black Onyx brisket, Oak smoked Chicken and crispy Lamb Ribs, Bluebonnet Barbecue in North Fitzroy, has got you covered for all your barbecue needs!

Excellent BBQ! Wonderfully smoked meat done in a true American style. The brisket is rich in smokey flavour and is a highlight. Amazing sausages that changes regularly - smoked cheese and jalapeño was the best. The sides live up to expectation - miso maple brussel sprouts , kohlrabi slaw, fried pickles. The grits are the best I have had, which still make them average! If you are really hungry, add on the chilli fries. 300g pp of meat is more than enough.

Accidently stumbled across Bluebonnet on a night out in Fitzroy...and boy were we glad we did.<br/><br/>Melbourne has an excellent selection of quality American slow cooked style restaurants and this place belongs on that list. Think Fancy hanks, the ironbark crew and Le bonton..<br/><br/>The main difference with Bluebonnets style is the smokiness flavour of their meats. These guys take smokiness to the next level. <br/><br/>Favourite is definitely the brisket. Sausages were a tad dry but the flavours made up for it.<br/>

If you're after American BBQ look no further than bluebonnet, a gem of a bar that I never even noticed through my years of living in the area.<br/>It is pricy, being mostly meat dishes, but great for sharing and everything's tasty - the chicken, pork, lamb & beef are all well-cooked. Juicy, tender, and tasty, we had a big party and there were no complaints (and no leftovers). It was definitely one of the better BBQ places we'd eaten at. <br/>We went for the tasting platter and got to sample lots of the sides as well, which were also delicious. Cheese fries, slaw & cheese corn get a special mention. If you're up to pay I say go for it, if not just stick to ordering the meats by themselves and skimping on the sides.

Perfect!!<br/><br/>Had the brisket, Beef cheeks, sausage, and lamb ribs, and it cooked well. <br/><br/>Our sides were the 'slaw and cheesy creamed corn.<br/><br/>Waitress was also great at recommending the right food.<br/><br/>There's quite a number of slow cooked BBQ places opening up and this is one of the better ones. Definitely will be back.

Best American BBQ I have had in Melbourne. <br/><br/>Easily. <br/><br/>The brisket is epically awesome. Smoky, tender, juicy. The BBQ sauce, made in house, is fantastic. The potato salad (minus the potato crisps I reckon) is also a great dish. <br/><br/>The pulled pork and sausages are good, but the brisket, for me, is the clear stand out cut of cow meat. <br/><br/>Good, friendly service and chilled vibe. <br/><br/>Hit this place up. And order the brisket! Do it!