Irene’s BBQ

Great bar with good food! Stopped on the way from Cleveland, going to KC. The brisket was outstanding. Always try to eat local when on road trips - Irene's did not disappoint.

In town for a concert and Irene's was recommended by many people. We dropped in and had these DELICIOUS nachos that another friend told us about (not on the menu though) but wow. The pulled pork was amazing. We sat at the bar and Nate and Kayleigh were great. Friendly service, great drinks and attentive. This place is super cute with such a great vibe. It's like a modern restaurant with a mexican/BBQ twist. The menu had so many amazing options and wish we were in town longer to get to try their brunch! We will certainly be back!

Grabbed lunch at Irene's while in Columbia. My husband and I shared a platter and and extra side. I also ordered a michelada and it was perfect! Our food was good - the tortillas and sweet potatoes were the stand outs. I felt like the meat didn't have a ton of flavor. I loved sitting at the bar - service was great.

At some point, I will cease to be surprised by the excellent food options in Columbia. Irene's is serving up some excellent barbecue featuring not only a couple classic barbecue features but some proteins you won't find anywhere else. Bbq chicken thighs, green chili pork, house made spicy sausages, smoked barbacoa... all fantastic. Counter service with one order taker is engineered to keep the pace of incoming patrons to a slow enough flow to allow for tables to empty out. They must have taken some lessons from Pappy's in St. Louis. We had the Tacos for the Table (there were 6 of us):- grilled chicken thigh (4.75/5): Honestly, my favorite. Great flavor and cook- Green chili pork (4.5/5): Love this protein. This is something you might find in the southwest. I was happy and pleased to see it here.- Smoked Brisket Barbacoa (4.35/5): Typically, this is a braised protein. Love the smoked treatment. Excellent flavor! - Brisket (4.25/5): well executed. Great flavor. Not as tender as traditional Texas style, but very good- tortillas (4.75/5): Fresh, handmade and excellent - Mac & cheese with green chili (4.5/5): loved the flavor! Would have liked a bit more cheese sauce - my preference - slaw (3.75/5): Cojita dominates this dish, which I am not a huge fan of. But still tasty. - salsas: Everyone of them hit! Loved the very spicy rojo. Open space with large tables gave this a friendly and casual vibe. Love the service model.

Columbia Missouri has some great restaurants however I have been looking for another taco joint down here. On a random night my boyfriend and I decided to check out Irene's and I am very happy we did. To start off, the atmosphere of this place was wonderful. They had live music going on in the background, a wide menu of drinks and the service was amazing. Everyone was super nice and patient with us because we had a rough time deciding what to get! The food we had was fresh and delicious and the place was perfect for a little date I would definitely check out Irene's if you are in the area!!

Delicious Barbecue Delights at Irene's in the Arcade District!Irene's Barbecue in the Arcade District of Columbia, Missouri, is a hidden culinary gem that left me impressed. The food and service are top-notch, creating a delightful dining experience.The ambiance at Irene's is pretty cool, setting the stage for a memorable meal. However, the ordering process, requiring patrons to wait in line and decide before sitting down, adds a unique twist. While it can be a bit tricky or confusing, the pressure to order quickly might be the only drawback.Once you navigate the ordering process, Irene's reveals a menu full of interesting and delicious items. It's worth noting that this spot can be a bit spendy, but the culinary experience justifies the cost.The spacious parking lot and the abundance of nearby activities make Irene's an ideal spot for a date night or a fun time with friends. If you're a fan of flavorful barbecue and unique menu items, Irene's is definitely worth a visit in the vibrant Arcade District.

We had heard good things about this place, and were excited to find it had opened this month! We went in on a weekday for dinner, and the place was pretty busy. It seems like an American take on Mexican food, with an emphasis on barbecue, and it was all yummy!. It is a fast casual type order at the counter. Very modern, nice but casual.- Beef carne asada platter (4.5/5): Very delicious. Lots of flavor, and lots going on. Basically like build your own tacos. We got lime dressed sweet potatoes as the side, and fire roasted taquera roja salsa. I wish it came with more salsa, but you can purchase extra. The tortillas are so yummy, taste homemade. The carne asada was cooked perfectly, seasoned well, and was tender. - Wagyu beef barbacoa sandwich (4/5): This was really good, just a bit greasy overall. The flavors and textures were amazing. Definitely recommend. Side was macha roasted Brussels, which were delicious. - Heart of fire cocktail (4/5): Love the smokiness of the mezcal. Semi sweet, and tart, good flavor overall.- Spicy margarita (3/5): I was a bit disappointed, this didn't really taste like a margarita, it was kind of plain. Tasted spicy but not much other flavor.

The food was amazing!!! We had the guacamole app and the Caribbean chicken bowl, both were delicious! The service was amazing as well. Hopefully the two owners expand.

This place is awesome. Has something for everyone. Their Saturday brunch can't be missed. The workers are knowledgeable and kind. Really cool space as well.

As soon as they gave me Mexican coke in a glass bottle, I knew I was at the right place. Very friendly staff, customers were a combination of families, young people, old people, etc. Food was fresh in taste and fresh in combo ideas.