Mike D’s BBQ

outstanding food, great service, and unbeatable location with cocktails and a brewery all accessible from their courtyard seating. a must if you're visiting Durham!

So if you've not heard about the hottest new BBQ spot in East Durham NC, let me introduce you to what Food Network called one of the black owned businesses to watch in 2024. MikeDsBBQ. This is a casual sit down BBQ smokehouse. There are daily specials but also a standard menu of brisket, ribs, turkey, chicken, Mac & cheese, veggies and ofcourse desserts from local bakeries. The staff were quick to smile and take orders. In this visit, I had a group of 6 men with me, they all got something different and let me tell you they were all QUIET which tells me they enjoyed it. I got the brisket Mac & Cheese bowl. imagine a bowl of hot & gooey Mac & cheese with the succulent smoked brisket chopped on top and drizzled with the MikeDsBBQ big sauce. Does it make you drool? I did. And it was sooo good!!

Wonderful inside/outdoor seating space, clean and easy parking. Food is quality, however, they're often sold out of the standard BBQ restaurant dishes (brisket, ribs, sides, etc.). No hushpuppies, either :(I really want to frequent this establishment more often, but it's difficult when time and time again, they're working with a limited menu. In that respect, the menu consistency is lacking.I recommend checking Mike D's out for yourself. Ideal gathering space for a family. Pulled pork plate can feed 2, easy!

This was my first time trying this place, and it was phenomenal! We were definitely surprised by the portions, though. We didn't expect them to be so big. If you just get one of the meals that comes with 2 sides and a drink, you'd be able to share with someone else. I ordered the brisket with Mac and cheese and beans, and my friend got the pulled pork with Mac and cheese and beans. The Mac and cheese was really good and the brisket was super tender, which is what I always worry about when ordering brisket. I didnt care for the beans. I expected them to be like baked beans but it tasted more like chili beans to me. Which was fine, just not what I expected with bbq. The good came out fast and the staff was super friendly. They have a parking lot right next to their restaurant in the gravel with plenty of spaces. And a good amount of seating! I would definitely come back!

Hands Down...Thee Best Bbq in town!!! Thee Best Food in city of Durham!! They catered to us and it was the most professional service I've ever experienced. They opened up the back room and hosted approximately 35 people!! Ambiance was relaxed and comfortable!!! I can't wait to return.

My niece recommended this restaurant and I couldn't wait to try them out. We headed here Friday and it was lit! Free parking, live music, indoor seating and outdoor seating. This place is located in East Durham and surrounded by other black owned restaurants. The vibes and service were great but I did not enjoy the food. I had coleslaw and it was dry. The meatballs were cooked perfectly. The Mac and cheese was running and needed flavor.

I came here around 11:40am on a Saturday morning (2/17/24) with a friend. It was pretty empty. They opened at 11am. We were promptly greeted when we walked in. Im a pretty indecisive person. I tried to get the cashier to give recommendations but she wouldn't give me any. She just gave very general generic responses such as m "everything's good" and "it depends on what you like". I even asked what she personally likes and she still wouldn't tell me, which I thought was very odd... it was a little off putting. My friend pointed out a sign that says "do not ask me what to order"... which again is very odd in my opinion. I got the rib combo with smoked beans for $16. I also got a side of meatballs for $6. My friend got the pulled pork combo with Mac n cheese for $16. We got our food about 5-8 minutes after ordering. We dined in. They have a separate room for dining. They had 2 tables for 4 people, 1 table for 5 people, and 1 very long table. There was an outside area. I'm unsure if it's a shared space between this establishment and the one next week. The meatballs were HOT! However, I wasn't really impressed by the taste. Average, in my opinion. The ribs were well seasoned and tasty, but somewhat dry. It didn't WOW me. They have one flavor bbq sauce that I dipped one of my ribs in. The bbq sauce was fine but not the type I personally enjoy. I enjoyed the smoked beans; they had a little kick to them. The roll was cold and a little hard. I got a Jabin drink, as it seemed healthy, but that was a mistake. I didn't like it AT ALL. It overwhelming tasted like apple cider vinegar.My friend enjoyed their pulled pork and Mac n cheese. They got sweet tea for the drink. I tasted the pulled pork and tea and it was average to me. I didn't finish my food and needed a lid for my beans and 2 meatballs. The cashier seemed much friendlier by this time. She gave me one and a to go bag as well. It had gotten noticeably busy as well.----In response to the owner: The sign would've been taken as a joke IF the cashier actually answered my questions, which she didn't (as I stated). I did not expect the cashier here, or anywhere, to "solve people's indecisiveness with ordering". However, I've dined at AMPLE restaurants and it has never been an issue for the staff to give recommendations or at minimum say, "many people order..." Furthermore, she (cashier) in fact DID NOT state what her favorite sides were. (I verified this with the person I was with). I didn't hear it because it wasn't said... You must have that interaction confused with someone else. I can agree that palates vary person to person. Nowhere in my review did I state that I didn't like any of the food. I simply stated it was average and didn't WOW me. Additionally, your response to me appears defensive and is consistent with others who leave 3 stars are left. As I customer, I would expect the business owner to be open to constructive feedback from their customers who chose to spend their hard earned money versus appearing close minded and insulting them... Prior to your response, I m was open to coming back to trying additional items but now, I am not. (Disclaimer: This was originally a 3 star review but it was demoted to 2 stars following owners response; I am NOT a novice reviewer as everyone can see. I take all interactions (during and following my dining experience) in account when I leave my review and rating. I would suggest that owner is more mindful in how they respond to customers and their honest feedback.)

I was a customer of Mike D's at the former shop where I would go to pick up his rub and sauce. I am so glad that he has expanded (and continues to expand)! Mike D's has some of the best BBQ in Durham. I usually get the pulled pork and my husband loves the brisket. Also, the mac and cheese is fantastic as are the baked beans. Since opening, foot traffic has been hit or miss. It can get very busy at times at lunch and then there are some evenings when it's easy to get a table (but don't sleep on the weekends because they will sell out). However, even at its busiest, the staff is always professional and polite. Now that the new bar and brewery have opened next door, there are even more options for beverages to go with your delicious meal!*I forgot to mention Wing Wednesday! Wing Wednesday is an amazing deal-- I forget how much it was exactly but these are full-on wings (like huge)! Check it out as it is worth it.

I have been following Mike D's BBQ on instagram for a while, and their posts frequently leave me hungry. We finally got around to visiting their new location in East Durham. The food was FANTASTIC. I ordered a brisket sandwich lunch special (which comes with a side and a drink). They offer one house-made BBQ sauce that you can add; I liked that I didn't have to choose between a hundred sauce options, and their house sauce was just delicious. The brisket came on a delicious bun and I ordered beans on the side. I asked for the coleslaw on the side, but honestly ended up putting it right back on the sandwich. They offer a number of bottled drinks in their fridge. My only bit of feedback was that there was not a low sugar drink option except for bottled water; I would have loved to be able to choose unsweetened tea or some kind of low sugar beverage. I went with two others who ordered pulled pork sandwiches, coleslaw on the side, with a side of mac and cheese. We all shared the sides so I can say the mac and cheese was also great. The menu does not offer a super wide array of options, but everything I tried was delicious, so I was not left wanting more. I would come back here again and again. Indoor seating was plentiful and spacious, and there's also access to outdoor seating on nice days!Cashier was very kind and friendly. All around a great experience!

1st it looked closed from the outside when riding by. The staff seemed friendly. The prices are reasonable. The pulled pork sandwich was ok, but the bread was soggy on the bottom. We got smoked beans, wasn't crazy about the mix of beans but the flavor was good. My friend got brisket, but it didn't seem like brisket, more like a cut of beef, very stringy. The Mac n cheese was bland unfortunately, was hoping the cheese would have some flavor. Portion sizes were huge so there's enough for another meal. I would rate our experience a 4, it was my first visit here. Where's the hush puppies or cornbread?