Babe’s Smokehouse & Tavern

We loved Babes at The River Walk and are glad a new location has finally opened. The same great food, vibes, and service! The new space is very small but has plenty of outdoor seating pending weather. Some reviews claimed food prices were too high and I’d remind folks that the original Babe’s was open long before the pandemic and recent economic events — inflation is not their fault. Please support a local favorite on its new journey!

I’m so impressed with the transformation at Babes Smokehouse and Tavern! The new design is absolutely stunning—modern, warm, and welcoming while still keeping the spirit of the original space alive. You can really tell how much thought and effort went into revitalizing the old, worn-down interior. It feels like a whole new experience while still honoring its roots. The atmosphere is perfect for everything from casual drinks to a night out with friends. Love what they’ve done with the place!

Babe’s Smokehouse & Tavern is the real deal! The brisket was tender, the ribs fell right off the bone, and everything had that perfect smoky flavor. Even the sides were great, especially the mac and cheese. But what really makes this place stand out is the history on the walls and the family feel — you can tell there’s a real story behind it all. If you love good barbecue and a place with some heart, Babe’s is definitely worth a visit.

I had the pleasure of dining at Babe’s Smokehouse and Tavern with my uncle, a local and serious foodie and we were both blown away. The cornbread and burnt end deviled eggs are an absolute must to kick things off. Chef’s kiss! We followed with the ribs and brisket, which were cooked to perfection. The atmosphere strikes the perfect balance between cozy and lively, making it a place you’ll want to return to. We already can’t wait to go back!

Quite different from their previous location. The BBQ however was still great. Tried all the main meat types and all were spot on. Try the combo of two meats, a good value suggested by our bartender/waiter.

The brisket was extremely tender My mother was able to cut her ribs with a butter knife their version of coleslaw rather tasty I will be going back for the brisket it would be nice if they slightly increase the portions. Had a drink similar to the long guiding iced tea sent it back Mom had a lemon meringue martini honey that thing tastes like syrup but the food was good The brisket is why I'm going back, hold the drinks

This was excellent! I had a half rack of the St. Louis ribs with the summer slaw and the yam with honey butter. Everything was delicious and the ribs fell off the bone. I took half of it home so I feel like the portions are good for the price. Really impressed and will definitely be back to try more and the outside seating.

The best BBQ I have EVER had! Especially the brisket which is mouth watering!!!! I love the corn bread and short ribs and baked yam! Highly recommend whenever you are in Indio you need to go here! Great service and wonderful warm atmosphere !! 100/10!!!!

Staff was amazing, extremely attentive. The room and patio - - intimate and warm. The food? Good, but not the greatest bbq. The baby backs were both tender and tough and without any pronounced smoke flavor. The brisket? Lean brisket, but not that flavorful. Onion rings were excellent, and the tamale was wonderful. It scratched my itch for bbq, but I just don't know if I'd drive all the way down to Indio for this again. There's better BBQ near me, although without the beautful space and wonderful service and nice booze. Pricing? Everything is expensive today but a tamale, 2 protein meal with half rack of baby balls and a few slices of brisket, onion ring upgrade and two drinks..... And no bread... Over $120 before tip. That's rough.

I'm sorry to say that the food was not the same as we had on 4 July. Please check your bag before you leave because they forgot to put the pie in the bag which they were nice enough to take off our charge when I called however, the chicken and the ribs were dry, and the sausage was horrible inedible and extremely dry. The cornbread and the coleslaw and the beans were still delicious. I just don't know how it was perfect before and dry now that's why I'm giving this review hoping management can iron this out.

Was looking forward to this spot opening up on this side of the valley. First time we tried them we made a reservation for inside and unfortunately were seated outside. Opening week. Server seemed super busy. Second time, we called in to order some food to pick up and were told that was not an available option. Shocked and again disappointed. Third time, today we walked in at 4:45pm, 2 people seated at the bar and nobody seated in the inside tables. Mind you, pretty much empty. We were told they had no inside seating available because they had reservations booked for 5:40. The only option was sit outside in 110 degree weather. Place is too small and in my experience they did not accommodate my first reservation or a walk in so not giving them another chance. Too bad that they're in an area that has flourished with many places to eat and they're the only place we've had a bad experience with or without a reservation. All the other restaurants around them have always accommodated us just fine.

This is a fresh review in the new Indio location so ignore reviews prior to April - 2025. YELP SHORT ANSWER: Yes for sure but with a few caveats. Opening day or week is never perfect and usually it just sucks for the workers and the owner as was the case on our visit, but it was still a great dining experience. Yes some people were a bit grumpy but those happen. LOCATION: Located in the Canopy which is in the Citrus Center in Indio off Jefferson and 50th Ave. Lots of parking and it is a popular area for food and shopping, WAY better for Babe's than The River nightmare and much smaller which is a good thing. FACILITY: Wow, nice job Lucky, no expense spared and it is great having Babe's so near our home in La Quinta. Opening exposes things that maybe the site planner did not anticipate. It is requested you make reservations or check in at the greeting desk to get a table, here is a problem! People did check in many others just walked through an open gate and sat at the bar or seating themselves at an open table so they need to work on that and will. The bar has some setup issues but the bartender is pro and dealt with it was best he could. It will all get worked out and this place will rock. Also they have one too many stools at the bar, seriously if I was as skinny as Lucky maybe no problem but everyone was cramped. MENU: Really great, enough choices, apps, salads, soups, sandwiches and meat but for some maybe not enough explanation on the different ribs and meat types, are they pork or beef while I know this most everyone in La Quinta, well, we are a little slow so we need as much help as possible. Maybe a more detailed online code link explanation with pictures, you only ned to create it once. FOOD PREP: EXCELLENT, nice job kitchen and chef. Every item we ordered was attractive and having an excellent visual is 80% of the experience. FOOD QUALITY: Again Excellent, Short ribs were great and dipped in the baked beans was heavenly. Sides were all good and lots of choices you will not be disappointed. LIBATIONS: Great bar just needs a function adjustment which will happen. Drinks looked great but I did not order as I have a thing for $18 drinks but most customers don't care I guess. If a Happy Hour especially in the Summer for locals appears things like simple Summer drinks and martinis around $10 is kind of the norm in Old Town so I hope they work on that. WAITSTAFF: Amazing, this is not easy at this stage but everyone was keeping it together even with the trespassers stealing tables and bar chairs. OVERALL VALUE: Well considering the Japanese restaurant next door is so over priced and surviving maybe Babe's pricing is spot on but it seems expensive. Plan on $100 + for two people but the portions are large so maybe sharing is something to consider. TIP: Give it a few days to settle in and I am sure Babe's will be the spot to dine. Make reservations on Yelp or Open Table. Please friend request me if you have read this far thank you.

Food 10/10. I made a reservation. Got there was seated immersion. We tried the chicken hush puppies and I tried the trip-tip-'it was melt in the mouth tips. So good. My two sides, I got onion rings and roaster veggies. Service was amazing. If I can come back i'll be the first there! Ambiance is quiet when I went. It was quiet and enjoyable..

Hooray, the wait is over! Babe's new location has opened!! The space is very nice with plentiful outdoor seating. The big window from the patio to the bar is pretty cool. Yes, it is smaller than the previous location, but I actually like this new contemporary vibe better. The service was very good and the food was even better. It's been so long so, we had to go straight for the old BBQ faves and they did not disappoint (pulled pork sammie, ribs). What surprised me was all the other great options on the menu! Looking forward to (eventually) trying all the non-BBQ items too! We will be returning very soon!

Decided to check out the new Babes for dinner tonight and was very impressed! I had the brisket sandwich on Texas toast, and it was everything I wanted -- smoky, tender brisket piled high between thick, buttery slices of toast. Total comfort food, done right. I also tried the goat cheese tamale, and it blew me away. Creamy, rich goat cheese wrapped in soft, flavorful masa with just the right hint of smoke. Unique, satisfying, and a great twist on a classic. Babes keeps finding ways to surprise me with bold flavors and quality ingredients. Can't wait to come back!

I'm not sure why the reviews are so rough for this place. We loved our meal! We shared the cornbread, followed by the "Pick 2 Proteins" with the Baby Back Ribs & Pulled Pork - topped with the classic BBQ sauce. It came with two sides, of which we chose the Babe's Coleslaw & Baked Beans. All delicious!! Only mention is to probably stick to beer here, as the cocktail prices were insanely steep - but don't believe the bad reviews here... great bbq spot!

I could do a better BBQ chicken sandwich in my own kitchen.. their bun was so tiny and barkey enough chicken andhe coleslaw was bland with too much vinegar. Only 5 tables inside , which doesn't make a bit of sense as it gets 115 during the summer ..its was over priced for what you get . Won't be going back.

Babe's Smokehouse was this close to being a five-star experience. The food was absolutely delicious--flavorful, tender, and clearly made with care. The only letdown? They were out of the burnt ends, which I was really looking forward to. Based on what our server said, it sounds like they often run out because it's tough to predict how much to prep--understandable, but still a bummer. That said, everything else was spot-on. Just be sure to go on a cool evening--this place is best enjoyed when the weather cooperates.

So, had reservations for 5:30 for bar area. Hostess seated us outside bar. Then realized it'd not open yet. Asked if we wanted table in front, accepted that reluctantly. Server Karen was great but food was sub par, had St.Louis ribs & BABY BACK. Should be the signature dishes for Babes. NOT. DRY TOUGH NO FLAVOR. DO NOT RECOMMEND.

Came in with no reservation and sat at the bar. Tom made me their famous "John Dately" and it was amazing. My lady ordered a blonde ale and it was super cold. We ordered garlic parm wings and the burnt end deviled eggs. 10/10 Wings are the best I have ever had. No exaggeration. Deviled egg as are explosive with flavor. Had a couple more beers and the cornbread. 10/10. Overall, 11/10 experience, service and food. Side note. Music choice was amazing.

I don't expect perfection--but I do expect basic competence, especially at this price point. What we experienced at Babe's was, frankly, unacceptable. Let's start with the cornbread. The first round was rubbery and dense, like it had been microwaved from frozen or sat under a heat lamp for hours. When we flagged it, our server--who was friendly and honest--admitted they'd had a lot of complaints about it. We were brought a second one that, bizarrely, tasted like fish. Cornbread shouldn't have an aftertaste like fried tilapia. Either there's cross-contamination in the kitchen or something seriously wrong with their prep. The mains didn't redeem the meal. Two of us ordered different entrees and both were overcooked, under-seasoned, and somehow still managed to be greasy in the worst way. Nothing balanced, nothing fresh. It was the kind of meal that makes you feel heavy and sick afterward--and not in the comforting Southern way. Just badly executed food. The final bill was $160 for two people. No appetizers, no dessert, no cocktails. Just two entrees, a side or two, and iced tea. That's $80 per person for food that should've never left the pass. There are too many good restaurants in the Coachella Valley--locally owned, chef-driven spots doing honest, flavorful cooking. Babes is not one of them. Skip it.

I was visiting for the weekend and looked up the best place to have BBQ meat. Found this place had great reviews on their food.. mixed reviews on their beers. I decided to give it a try because I was here for the food. I was staying in Palm Dessert and this place isn't too far from where we were staying. The restaurant had outdoor and indoor seating options. I noticed the outdoor seating had water mist spraying for the hot days. We chose to stay indoors. We were sat right away and were greeted by our server Caesar! He suggested great meal options as well as tourist spots we needed to visit. I choose the ribs and meat option plate. For this plate I chose the St Louis rib and brisket. For my sides I upgraded the Mac and cheese to lobster Mac and cheese and chose the yams as my other side. Everything was delicious! Ribs were fall off the bone cooked to perfection and their brisket was nice and tender. The service here is awesome! The food here is delicious! The location and restaurant is clean. Definitely a must visit when in town.

Babes Smokehouse and Tavern never disappoints. The chicken tamale came in a nice bowl, was soft, flavorful, and packed with tender, smoky chicken -- really comforting and delicious. I also had the pulled chicken sandwich with their sweet house coleslaw, and it was fantastic. The chicken was juicy, and the slaw added just the right crunch and sweetness. Everything tasted fresh and made with care. Great food, great vibes -- I'll definitely be back!

Mom really wanted to try their new location and it was fantastic. I had the brisket dinner with veggies and house-made sausage, and everything was spot on. The brisket was smoky, tender, and packed with flavor, and the sausage had that perfect snap with just the right amount of spice. The veggies were fresh and well-seasoned -- a great balance to the rich meats. My mom ordered the BBQ chicken salad, and she loved it. The greens were crisp, the smoked chicken was juicy, and the whole dish felt fresh and satisfying. The BBQ ranch dressing added a nice smoky kick. Babes does a great job combining bold BBQ with lighter options. Great food, great service -- we'll definitely be back!

Had an amazing meal at Babes Smokehouse and Tavern. I got the baby back ribs -- super tender, smoky, and full of flavor. They came with a vinegar-style summer slaw that was crisp, refreshing, and balanced the richness perfectly. The half baked yam was a nice touch -- soft, naturally sweet, and comforting. My wife had the pulled chicken sandwich, and she loved it. The chicken was juicy and packed with flavor, and the bun held up great without getting soggy. Everything tasted homemade and thoughtfully prepared. Babes is definitely one of our go-to spots now!

Mom really wanted to try their new location and it was fantastic. I had the brisket dinner with veggies and house-made sausage, and everything was spot on. The brisket was smoky, tender, and packed with flavor, and the sausage had that perfect snap with just the right amount of spice. The veggies were fresh and well-seasoned -- a great balance to the rich meats. My mom ordered the BBQ chicken salad, and she loved it. The greens were crisp, the smoked chicken was juicy, and the whole dish felt fresh and satisfying. The BBQ ranch dressing added a nice smoky kick. Babes does a great job combining bold BBQ with lighter options. Great food, great service -- we'll definitely be back!

The new location although small has a lot of character and I love the indoor outdoor concept of the bar. We sat outside on the patio but could still watch the TV's and feel apart of the restaurant. We started with the Creole Shrimp, it had a bit of spice but more tomato flavor, and the Cast Iron Cornbread. The cornbread was very good. My son ordered the chicken strips on the hidden kids menu and enjoyed them. My husband and I ordered The "Pig 2" and got Brisket and Pulled Pork then 2 sides being the baked beans and Mac n cheese. All very good! Ask for all the different BBQ sauces to try. We also ordered the Short Rib Pappardelle and I wouldn't order that again, strange combo and honestly not sure why we even ordered it lol Our server was very attentive, he offered suggestions and even brought us a little bit of sorbet for free at the end of our meal :) All in all very good and we will be back.

We were excited to try this restaurant due to the reviews! We arrive early, before "official" dinner time to avoid the dinner rush. We walk in, there are maybe 5 people total in the restaurant. The "hostess" immediately looks at us in an interesting way. Her first question is " do you have a reservation?" I tell her we do not and what is the wait. She states adamantly "we are fully booked. Sorry. We can't give you a wait we are booked." Which is super odd given that the restaurant was fully empty and it was just 430 at that time. I can understand maybe they have 5PM reservations but to also not give us a wait?!? That's been a first. Very odd. We won't be back.

The service was great the location and decoration was really nice Sat inside to avoid the heat but they opened the bar window and the whole place just got hot. The cornbread was fantastic ... Sadly that's was what filled me up. That was the only positive, the serving size of the brisket was abysmal to say the least ($40) plate. The sweet potatoes were a little over cooked, the macaroni was bland and seemed watery, not what I saw in the advertising on instagram. I got a lot of fat in the thin slices that were hiding under that sauce, They had zero "Smokey," flavor.. the sauce was the whole smoke. The tiny slabs were cold when they arrived at my my table idk if it was because they placed ice cold bbq sauce on it, but when I got it I was just so disappointed I didn't even bother to say anything I just wanted to get out of there. While I was sitting I overheard one of the hostess on the phone apologizing to someone about the food quality, wasn't really pleasant as my food hadn't arrived, not something you want to hear before they disappoint you in real time. Wasn't going to bother leaving a review until my $100 bill Showed up, for that price I expect what I paid for and I have to let it be known.

The food was good, not great. The portions were adequate, not big. The prices seemed relatively high for that combination. But we do love outdoor dining, and the patio was a fantastic experience. Our server was fabulous, so all in all a pretty good meal. I would offer this suggestion. For the kind of money that I paid for St. Louis style ribs, I should at least get 1/2 rack. To pay that price for 1/4 rack of ribs makes no sense. I'm from Iowa, that pork is really inexpensive to buy. Sorry, just my two cents.

This restaurant will never see me or anyone in my party of six again. Also on Monday a friend of mine told me that him and his wife would never go back. Reasons: Food was not good my ribs were dry and cold. Server took them back and brought me hot ones that we very dry. My friend ordered the brisket it also was so dry. In addition to the food the prices are out of site. $36 for a half slab of ribs and $25.00 for a hamburger. Ridiculous - I had a half slab of ribs and a cocktail and with tax and tip it cost me $76.00 The server was extremely polite and tried her best But she doesn't cook the food so you can't fault her at all. What a shame we were all looking forward to the opening of this restaurant

I was sent here to get some food. I've never been here but the ordering process over the phone was smooth. Since we had the need for bbq, so this is the place. This place is cool, walking in you see these huge pigs, so you know you're in the correct place. The restaurant has a dark sitting meaning the inside isn't that bright but it's a good thing to me. I as greeted by the employees and they were very nice welcoming. The time I went there wasn't too many people there, probably around lunch time. I end up ordering bbq chicken , ribs and corn which was added at the end. We end up eating everything , the corn I thought was going to be a corn on the cob it was more of corn kernels smh I don't get it ! Other than that the food was good and we will be back.

Babe's Smokehouse & Tavern really nailed it. The cocktails were spot on and tied in perfectly with the vibe. The burger was juicy, loaded with flavor, and cooked just right, easily one of the best I've had in a while. And don't skip the lemon wow pie!! It's tangy, sweet, and the perfect way to end the meal (they call it "wow" for a reason). Between the drinks, the food, and the friendly atmosphere and incredible service, this place is an easy favorite.

*Not the Babe Ruth of BBQ* As a kid I absolutely LOVED Marie Callender's and it progressed throughout my life (in case you didn't know, Babes was founded by the Callender family) I once even celebrated Thanksgiving at Callender's Grill in LA (next to the La Brea Tar Pits & LACA Museum) with my grandmother for our Thanksgiving dinner date. Went to Babes at the River when they first opened and was decent. But as much as I love great BBQ (tho a previous vegan for 10+ years) I've always preferred other restaurants at The River (without mentioning names) For a belated Bday my Dad told me to pick any restaurant in the desert I wanted for dinner with him, my wife and my little brother. Narrowed it down to a few but two are closed for Summer. Then remembered how much my big brother enjoyed Babes for his bday so I pivoted to BBQ and keeping his heavenly spirit alive. In addition, Dad is a major BBQ dude and was happy I chose Babes. But was completely shocked lol My heart was in the right place choosing this place but in hindsight, I wish we could do it all over again. Because bday dinners occur only once a year. Our early Saturday evening din din started off well -- warmly greeted & seated in a nice big booth as requested with my OpenTable resy. Our waiter began with an award winning personality...but warped into a waiter with serious attitude. But for good reason I guess: The A/C broke down and the restaurant was swealtering hot while still 110 degrees outside. He was obviously short-handed on a Saturday Night in a section all by his lonesome, with lots of large groups & parties. I was even watching him in action because I have the utmost respect for the restaurant industry. He forgot Dad's Corn Bread appetizer. He did apologize when it was brought to his attention. While eating dinner he brought a corn bread skillet to the table, said "it's on the house" and abruptly walked away. We felt like walking away too because the cornbread was absolutely awful and undercooked (Marie's had THE best) He forgot my little bro's 2nd beer and when it was nicely brought to his attention he brought one to the table and did an amazing impersonation of a silent movie star as he placed the beer on the table and skirted off without a word. There were 2 mistakes with my dinner which he tried to blame on the kitchen -- I was served short rib meat (combo meal) which was very chewy -- instead of brisket and the sweet pot fries weren't served the way I ordered. Btw/fyi: our waiter didn't write down one single thing when he took our order so you be judge who's at fault here. Team players don't pass the blame on others when they're not present to defend themselves. Next time just say you're sorry, sympathize and simply resolve because you already committed 3 other errors. All 3 of our of babybacks were mediocre at best. They all looked different but all slightly burnt. None were tender and all dry & chewy and difficult to cut with a knife -- nothing fallin' off the bone here. It's obvious they were precooked then reheated -- especially how they arrived to our table in record time. He forgot we were celebrating a birthday -- at least that's the excuse I was given by the Manager when it was addressed as well as the broken AC. My Dad ended up wanting pie and wanted peach but they only serve apple nowadays...but he didn't care -- Dad loves pie period. But the apple pie was underwhelming and undercooked just like the cornbread. Everyone had one bite and ended it. Seldomly does my Dad ever refuse any pie. Another major disappointment. And no happy birthday candle wish for me to blow out. It's pretty sad when 4 people agree the best thing about their dinners was the coleslaw. Wifey had fish & chips which were "just okay" but she enjoyed the slaw too. Yelp forces one star as their default. I added a star for how the Manager handled everything by "comping (my) the birthday boy's dinner and Dad's corn bread and pie." But at the end of the day that doesn't really cut it because a small family bday dinner was ruined & tainted by and with all the above. My Dad drove in from Newport Beach (just for the day) my little bro drove in from LA to stay the night...and this was the first time just the 4 us shared a celebratory dinner together. I've refrained from publishing this review, considered contacting Mr Callender personally and emailing him this review instead. But after a few weeks of contemplation and reflection, I decided to express myself to the Yelpshere...and hopefully Mr C see's this too. But I'm their 1,811th review so not too certain any of this really matters to him & them (and you) Recently found out Babes is relocating to Indio from Rancho Mirage due to landlord/lease issues. I hope they flourish. YMMV but I/we have no desire to dine at Babe's again. Times & meals like these remind me how much I miss Tony Roma's. Strike 4 Game Over

We went opening Day to Babe's in Indio on 4-23-2025. Did not have a reservation, but still got in. Sat at the bar. We had Burnt end deviled eggs to start, Chicken pot pie, and Lemon pepper wings. All were fantastic. Menu is condensed compared to last location. Chicken pot pie is pricey at $25.00, but really good. Will try other items next time. Todd R.

Had great service at the new location. Their cocktails are fun & refreshing and they stepped up the game with the fresh brisket. It is some of the best brisket I've had.

The food was terrible. Ribs were undercooked, short rib sandwich was dry, and the bread on my pulled pork sandwich was soggy. The waiter argued with us saying the ribs were being cooked for 10 hours and the chef knows what he's doing, well obviously not. We got brisket instead of the ribs and they had vanes with not great flavor, for 40 DOLLARS!!! The only good thing was corn bread. Overpriced, and food is not good.

Such a disappointment! Save your gas and go to Palm Springs instead. Way too small, only available seating is outside and who wants to do that in this heat!

This is a biased review because Babe's in Rancho Mirage was one of my favorite places to eat EVER. We used to joke about driving 3 hours there for the strawberry lemonade alone. While this location is similar, it is not as good in terms of menu selection, atmosphere or food. The old Babe's had real strawberries in the lemonade and it was served in mason jars with sugar on the rim. Here, it is more of a commercial beverage in an ordinary glass. The old Babe's had much more on the menu. I believe they had jalapeno cornbread as well as plain. This one had only plain, so we ordered that as an appetizer. It was good. I had pulled pork with baked beans and slaw. The pork and beans were good & I took the leftovers. I left the slaw. My daughter had the pulled pork sandwich and enjoyed it. My son had the burger and hated it. He is a burger afficionado. My husband had the baby back ribs. He said they were good. Service was okay. Probably will not be back. So sad as we loved Babe's in Rancho so much.

The food was not good at all My friends drink had a bug in it and the bartender took the bug out and sent the drink back instead of a new pour . Not good!!!

Its not the same menu since it reopened, smaller menu. My bbq sandwich was good but my husbands restaurant ribs were not. Smaller portions also. The strawberry lemonade which was my fav wasn't the same. Very disappointing!

We were saddened to see that Babe's had closed its previous location in Rancho Mirage. It had been one of our "go to" dining spots on vacations here in recent years. Then we saw it had a new location further south near LaQuinta/Indio. We made plans to go. Disappointed that the previous beautiful dining room experience is gone. Now it's a strip mall café with VERY limited seating. Server was kind and gracious and hostess seated us immediately - at 3:30 in the afternoon. Menu seems more limited. My wife's pulled pork topped salad was beautiful. My St. Louis ribs were tasty, but admittedly, a bit overcooked and more tough than on previous visits. The sides I chose - garlic mashers were much too heavy on the garlic and I don't like potato skins in my mashers. The mac n cheese was pasta shells dripped with velveeta-like cheese sauce. Chick-Fil-A mac/cheese far superior. In any event -- the ambience and true dining EXPERIENCE from before is gone.The food is OK, but overall, the visit disappointed.

My friend and I were both visiting from out of town and wanted to get a late lunch in the immediate area but weren't that familiar with the options. And it was a weird time of day because most lunch places were done serving, but it wasn't time for dinner yet. My friend said he was looking for a barbecue or a burger and a drink, so Babe's seemed like the perfect option. It smelled really good when we walked in, and we got seated in a very cute two person booth. When our server took our drink order and we hesitated, she told us that she was also the bartender so we were in good hands. My friend started to say he was going to get a beer, and the server jumped in and asked what he usually liked. He mentioned a German beer and a lager, and she said that she had something for him. When he hesitated, she asked, do you trust me? She never said the name of the beer that she was going to bring, not even when she brought it. And she brought a full glass and not a little taste for him to try. As it turned out, it was too dark for his taste, and also seemed to have a high ABV based on how it affected him, which is not what he was looking for. He was too nice to say anything, or even ask what she'd given him. And when she asked how he was doing, he didn't complain. When I went to order my drink, I asked if they served tasters or half pints, which are pretty standard for breweries and brew pubs, but she acted confused as to why I would even ask. Then she offered that I could do a tasting flight, which was really more beer in total than I wanted, but at least the size of the glasses were what I was looking for. I really liked the Babes light, which is the one I would have gotten a half pint of. The Pale Ale was okay, but the IPAs were not to my taste, even though I really like hoppy/bitter beers. But I'm glad I got to try them. For food, I ordered the barbecue salad with tri-tip and blue cheese dressing and I was really happy with it. The tri-tip was very tender and warm, and the portion size was generous. I didn't love the little cornbread muffin that came with it but that's ok.

Loved the new restaurant location and location! It has ample parking and is perfect in size. Our waiter Jeff was fantastic and suggested the lemon wow. One word - amazing!

Looked forward to really trying this location since the original babes closed its doors. The service was good. The food was very good. I had the brisket with a side of baked beans and macaroni and cheese. Every thing on my plate was delicious.

Food was phenomenal. Ribs, pulled pork, tamales, beans, and the fresh peach pie, incredible. Highly recommended it, just wish they opened earlier. Great bar area as well, comfortable patio.

We had some time between our escape room and dinner reservations (we were too quick in escaping!) so we stopped at Babe's for a beer. Since we only wanted a beer, we found a couple of tables in the bar. They were able to switch the TV so we could watch our Timberwolves. The bar tender was awesome and even though we were a few minutes past happy hour, he honored the pricing. I loved all the pigs throughout the place. It was cold and pouring rain weather so the fireplace was welcome. I had the Palm Springs IPA which was smooth and cold. Great stop. Feel like I need to come back for some BBQ.

Very very disappointed. Ordered a classic bbq chicken salad and I was disappointed at the small amount of lettuce and chicken. In my opinion it wasn't worth it for $24.00. My husband had the pulled pork and thought it was just ok. We won't be going back. Only had water to drink and Paid $74.00 and thought it was way overpriced.

The deviled eggs were delicious! They have some good beers on tap. No longer have their house beers and no longer have a happy hour. The menu is condensed from the other location, but everything looked and smelled great. They have a nice bar which was both inside and outside with misters outside. Servers were friendly and informative.

My husband had the ribs & I had the pulled pork sandwich. Both were excellent! Cooked to perfection. Even the fries were served hot which never happens these days. My only thought on the new place (we were even fans of the old Babe's) is the indoor seating arrangement. I know they placed the seating in the bar area to maximize the space, but it tends to be uncomfortable sitting in a long row of tables. You are so close it feels like you're hearing conversations on both sides of you. Looks like there is lots of outdoor seating but with our extreme summer heat we shall see how many people use that when the temps are in the 116 degree range? Yes prices are not cheap but then eating out these days is expensive. I feel if the food is good (which many times it is not at other restaurants) I am willing to pay a bit more and have great food. The service was fine but not amazing -- had to ask for more water & also for hand wipes after we finished. This is a much needed type of restaurant for La Quinta. Hope it does well.

Picked up an order to go. Small portions, very expensive and get this, I had to put the half chicken onto my barbecue because it wasn't cooked through. You wont see me going back.

Had Carter as our waiter and he was fantastic! Cocktails were on point. Cornbread and sweet potatoe fries were amazing. Will definitely be back!

Wow! What a great new place! Food was the best bbq I've ever had( and I grew up in St. Louis, home of Tony romas) the drinks we tried "the best"! Sat at the bar with Mark and Tom, don't think I will ever sit anywhere else. The decor was a modern nostalgia, with pictures from long ago all over the place! And the PIGS are amazing! We will be back over and over again!

Always have loved Babe's BBQ at the River. Delicious food and desserts. Staff always great. Will try new location soon.

We went to Babe's Smokehouse & Tavern tonight and it was fantastic! From the helpful hostesses , prompt waiter, to the excellent barbecue... the experience was perfect for our family dinner. We had the wagu beef burger, baby back ribs, and the brisket. All were prepared to perfection! Make sure to sample the various barbecue sauces - we were surprised how good they were. Highly recommend a trip to Babe''s. We'll be back soon!

We had reservations and I'm glad we did because there is only about 8 tables inside. The rest are outside which may pose a problem in our 110 summer weather. Our waitstaff, Tracy, was fantastic and very welcoming. She answered our questions and gave us time to decide on our orders. Our food arrived in a reasonable amount of time and looked great. I ordered St Louis Ribs but they looked very small. I was assured they were the correct rib. I had ordered the sweet potato fries (cooked in Tallow....OMG sooo good!!!) and Cole slaw. Having been a former customer of the old Babes, I forgot that Cole slaw had golden raisens in it. It tasted very good but I'm not a fan of fruit in my Cole slaw. The ribs had been described as "fall off the bone, juicy, and tender". Well....not. Yes the meat did fall off the bone but the meat was very dry, and so over done it felt like I was eating a piece of bark. The flavor and seasoning was spot on but I won't be ordering them again. For the price, $36, I expected at least a full half rack of ribs. I got 4 ribs and a hard end piece. Definitely not worth the price. Yes, I will go back again as Babes has only been open for 4 days. Clearly they have some growing to do. Our bill came to $120 for 3 of us. My sister had a pulled pork sandwich ($26) and my husband had the chili ($12) and a wedge salad ($14). We all had iced tea; not booze. That also included an apple piece to go. It's a 6" pie & was $14. It was very good with a crispy buttery crust but could use more apple filling. I'm not a cheap person as my husband and I go out quite often to fine dining restaurants but I do feel the prices for a BBQ place are a tad bit too high for the product served.

Portions were way too small. Food was average. We had to sit outside and it was filthy dirty with sand. The tables and the booth seats were covered with dirt. The sun was beating down on us. The only positive thing I could say was that the service was very fast. But we will not be returning. It was super expensive also!