E & L Barbeque

I absolutamente love E&L. I ate here when i was younger, returned 20 years later and it’s still the same. The potato salad here is my favorite and … the sauce here is amazing. I would put this as top bbq of Mississippi. Definitivamente a staple in Jackson. Hint…Go early and there’s no wait.

Now if you came to the comments to see if the food was good, I'm just going to say yes. it's good but I will say the reason why I gave it a three is because of the atmosphere or the area. The building is probably one of the nastiest building I've ever gotten food from. They have booths but they look really old and some have holes in them The building literally looks like an abandoned building on the inside. The wait is also always super long. I went recently but it's been years since I've been and if memory serves me right, the wait has always been extremely long. I believe it always takes over and out but it could be the times we usually choose to pick up food. I went on a Saturday around 5:00 p.m. The way it may be shorter on some days but this time it was about hour and a half. Also the building may look run down but that doesn't mean it's dirty. It's always clean but it's just always run down looking. and the part at the front where they have the grill doesn't look as run down to me is the back. It's just the back where people waited that looks extremely creepy. I probably wouldn't go back unless guests requested it, as they did this time, but I will say I am always glad to have a plate of their wings and fries.

The lady at the counter don't greet you..she leaves or walks away without acknowledging the customer..I also ordered 3 tips no sauce on meat sauce on fries not know they were waiting on ribs for 30min..so when I did get my order it was trash. Ribs were dry, tough and over cooked..

It’s EL’s kind a staple for me. The best thing by far to me is their hot link sausages. These are special! They are better than some at a multi million dollar business out in Texas…I just ate at with a couple plate for two avg 100.00 plus. Anyways , I like EL BBQ, they keep a security guard on duty. He’s a Gen xer or boomer. The rib tips are also very good.

E&L barbecue always taste great I love the pulled pork sandwich and turkey legs are delicious. Don’t forget to get you a ribs plate with baked beans and potato salad. Friendly people who treat every customer with smile. Best barbecue in Mississippi love this restaurant A+

[F07Jun2024 ~17:18 review] Just placed my order—E&L’s ALWAYs well worth ANY wait‼️❤️😋 (Ace Bolt & Screw to get new metal lock nuts for the 917 flail mower was today’s excuse to stop 😉.) [old “2 years ago” review on F07Jun2024 ~17:18] Wear a mask. The long line wait is well WORTH IT!! Ubon’s and E & L. Go. ’Nuff said. 😀😎

Damn fine BBQ!!! Love the bread slices. I've been eating here for 20 years and it is a Jackson staple. They put their heart and soul into every plate served. Kudos to everyone that works there!!!

I purchased a ribtip plate on today. Mind you I was the first person in line at 11:00, so why was the meat cold and look like straps. I guess I got the left overs from last night! ☹️

The place could use some decorating but the food tasted really good. The wait time was about ten minutes tops and the employees were pleasant. Always get the sauce on your fries.

Some of the best barque in Jackson. The wait time is pretty short if you can catch them when they're not busy. The inside doesn't have too much to look at but the good so that's all that matters. The location isn't welcoming though.

E & L Barbecue is definitely nothing fancy. In fact, the word ramshackle would almost come to mind. Okay, maybe ramshackle wouldn't almost come to mind. No, there is no maybe about it, ramshackle definitely came to mind when I pulled in here. Also, be advised that they require masks to enter this establishment. I am not making a statement either way, as Joe Friday would say on the classic television show, "Dragnet," "Just the facts." It also appears that they are not allowing in house dining, just takeout. I could not decide between a pork sandwich or the hot links sandwich (the hot links sandwich came with french fries). I ended up going with the hot links sandwich. I have to say that it had a good price point at six dollars even after tax. The hot links were good and had an okay amount of hear to it. Instead of the sandwich as described, the hot links came with french fries and two pieces of white bread. All in all, I would give this place five stars.

The food is great I been a customer for over 40 years the service is good it the best. In town in my opinion

The food is amazing and delicious. We had a slab of delicious ribs that were drenched in delicious sauce with fries and baked beans. Also ordered a side of potato salad which was delicious. Ordered two pulled pork sandwiches as well and they were delicious, too. Waited in line about 30 mins but it was well worth the wait.

Place is always packed and worth the wait. Love the homemade sausage. The rib tips and fries are always on point.

One would think waiting in line for 25 minutes the food would be off the chain. I ordered the rib plate. The ribs were not fall off the bone. They were Tough as all get out. Not enjoyable at all. I don't even think the potatoe salad was homemade. Maybe since this was a holiday long weekend, maybe they were turning out ribs before they were ready. Maybe I will try again. And maybe not. Very disappointed, after hearing this was the best place for ribs.!!

Was closed when we arrived when hours stated it was open. Looks legit, though. Hope the business is able to stay afloat.

Honestly good, no frills BBQ. If you want a place with locally sourced gourmet sides, rotating drafts and free WiFi go someplace else. However if you want honest, solid pork BBQ this is your place. I was in town visiting for a wedding and my father in law asked to take me to lunch; I said I wanted something down-home and rib-sticking, so he didn't hesitate to recommend E&L. Two fantastic signs of a BBQ joint: I could smell the smoke when I pulled into the parking lot and there was a solid line of people waiting to order. We were there for the lunch rush and while it was crowded the line moves fast. We both went with the ribs and hot links combo plate (comes with two sides). First off the sides are superfluous; frozen fries and canned baked beans I believe. Second, who care here for the sides? I was impressed by the size of the ribs; they were quite large and had tons of meat. They are slathered in sauce. Usually I'm a sauce on the side kind of guy but here it felt right to get all over the styrofoam, your fingers and face. It was sweet but didn't overpower the smoke flavor I got from the ribs. I'm a big fan of hot links and since these were made in house I was excited. However they were dry, so they benefited from having sauce. No question the ribs were the standout; on my next visit I will opt for a rack instead. And why not a whole rack for the price? BBQ really has gotten more expensive everywhere but at E&L it was very affordable. An all around great BBQ experience in the Deep South.

My family is from Jackson Mississippi. Anytime I come out there from California this place is a must have. Can't wait to come back. This will be one of my first stops. It's a must-have!

Very good, just as the reviews claimed. I did expect a smoked taste, the rib tips didn't seem to have it. There are no healthful side dishes, not even coleslaw, but who needs greenery when you've come for ribs? The prices are low, the employees are nice and the place stays busy, which was a treat because I love listening to Southerners speak. Cool place for people watching. I'm looking forward to going back. They sell Faygo, I don't typically drink the super sweet stuff, but as a native Detroiter, a had a pineapple-orange for nostalgia's sake. Next time, I'll bring a water jug. There is plenty of seating and parking. The location was easy to find. Good eats!

Got the rib tip dinner. The tips were very greasy and the grease weighed down the flavor of the sauce. The beans were a bit bland and the fries old. Not the worst I've had but a huge room for improvement

Absolutely amazing BBQ and potato salad with great prices for what you get! Don't judge the book by its cover and you won't miss an Itis inducing meal! Can't wait until my next visit to Jackson so I can try their hot links and chicken!

Rib tips are amazing the fries with the mild sauce is delicious the chicken wings make me think of harolds chicken in Chicago this is a great spot some the best barbecue in MS

Waiting outside in the heat ain't cool after spending $60 for food and not letting your patrons wait inside for a large order is not good business. If your trying to get the black dollars make it make sense. Ain't been here in years now I see why I haven't been here in years.

I am sorry but if you are from Jackson the First place you think of when you want BBQ is E&Ls. Its just a matter of fact. There is no fighting this truth. They have the best track record in the city. They have the comforting familial feel you seek when you return home. And they have the best people working there. ...Correction: the first place I think of is my uncle's bbq. I am not adding this under the threat of denial of access to the next family bbq dinner...

The BBQ is everything. The ribs. The sausage. It's just delicious. I can't wait to go back!

If you are in Jackson craving good bbq. Try E & L. The place and taste has not changed since my JSU days. I ordered the tips, fries, and one wing. Everything sauce. The sauce is awesome! Sweet and southerly. You want need a drink with this meal. The tips are meaty with a mild smoky wood flavor. I had to try a wing just to have it covered in that sauce. I'm not a bread eater, but the sauce is soo damn good you would want to finger dip and taste until it's all gone. The bread allows you to have some manners while out in public. Smoke the tips longer to get a tad bit more of that wood flavor (pink ring). The cartilage and gristle were rough on the teeth. Location perfect! If you looking for good bbq, it want be in the common restaurants. This rib joint is a must try for those BBQ connoisseurs or cravers.

Shared the sampler platter and fries w/ sauce with my friend Jes. The links had a good spicy flavor, but were smoked till they were very dry. Very tender ribs. Smoked chicken was my favorite. Fries, salad and beans all standard Cisco. The sauce is just not my preference. Sweet molasses type thing with a liquid-smoke kind of kick. Best part of the whole deal was the cream soda. I'd forgotten about cream soda.

When my friend said it was in the hood, that is true but most of the BBQ places back home are in the hood to, so it's all good. We got there just before closing so they were out of beans out of chicken wings so I settled on a rib plate with double potato salad. The ribs were huge, not to fatty and covered in sauce. I usually don't eat white bread but I understand why it's a necessity to slop up the sauce. The ribs were good be not the best I've had either. I wish they would have been a little smokier. It could be a Texas thing since this is my first time trying any Mississippi BBQ. The potato salad was store bought and that was fine with me because I would prefer that to wondering who made the potato salad. My friend got her ribs with no sauce so she got smaller ribs, I didn't taste them to see if they tasted any different maybe I should have. The bottom line is I would return because I'm interested in trying the links and rib tips. Maybe I should have read the reviews before ordering and I would have ordered those instead. The ribs were still good especially if you like lots of sauce.

My Debt card was used at this restaurant for $ 11.72 on 31 Dec 2019. I live in Rhode Island and did not make this purchase. Within the same time frame my debt card was used at Ak tire service on Woodrow Wilson for $592. I contacted my bank to report the fraud I also contacted Jackson MS Police Dept on 1 Jan at 955 am who did not seem very interested in the problem strong police work there Reno911. Any info on catching this guy. I'm offering a reward.

I flew into Jackson from LA, and at the airport car rental, I asked a local to recommend a good bbq. They sent me to E&L...It was probably the best bbq ribs and baked beans I've ever tasted! It doesn't look like much from the outside and inside it's just a large room with a few tables, some friers, and a bbq, but that's all they need to deliver powerful taste at an affordable price (and they offer friendly and fast service). I think Anthony Bourdain would have loved this place. Honestly, I have thought about this meal every day for the past 3 days...I hope to return to Jackson some day and when that happens, I will definitely return to E&L!

There were some rumors swirling around recently that E&L was changing up, losing its soul of the days of old, so I had to investigate. I hadn't been in a while, but stepping in was just like I remember. This place is nothing fancy at all, a fairly bare space with a lot of smoked meat to sell you. If anything their ribs fell off the bone faster than they have before. They have always emphasized the sauce at E&L and now if you ask for sauce, each rib gets dipped in sauce individually. I can't hate that. The menu is slim, and the sides aren't why you come, but some of the best bbq comes from this nondescript building on Bailey avenue that can cover the whole block in smoke.

I'm not a fan of spicy, but I can NOT make myself stop thinking about these in house made hot links. #sauceonthefries Call ahead for faster service. This is a little local owned hidden gem of ours. The bbq sauce is fantastic.

I love E&L I stay near by but feel I live a long way cause I stay wanting the chicken wings an French fries cover with bbq sauce

Don't judge this book by its cover or even by the way the inside looks when you walk in. It's not fancy at all, very casual dining. You order at the register and they call you up when it's done. I wanted to try the pull pork however they had run out. Instead I got the chicken wings with fries and the rib tips with potato salad. Everything was so good! The hot sauce on the wings was delicious and the bbq sauce on the ribs too! I really liked the way they cooked the chicken wings, they were crispy but the sauce made them softer. Check this place out if you're in the area!

They dont care what their hours say. they close at 5:30 on weekdays uncaring of any dinner crowd. And if you do make it while they are open do not get the fries. In a word soggy.

Love love love this bbq, although its a wait i will gladly stand in line. The meat has the smoke flavor and the sauce is always good. This is a true Jackson staple, anybody from Jackson and surrounding areas will tell you this is the truth get the rib tips and fries. 9.99 for the plate and you will be satisfied.

Reasonable prices for large portions. Rib tips and ribs are really good. Have a good flavor profile and meat falls off the bones. The baked beans are good as well. I lobe potato salad and it is just ok and would benefit from a little more salt as it is consistently bland. You will have to wait about 20 mins during peak times (weekends) but it is worth the wait. I recommend this place for bbq.

Today November 22, 2019, @ 12:30 p.m. I picked up two orders. One for me and one for my co-worker. My co-workers order was fine, which was hot sausage and fries. However my Rib Tips order with fries was horrible. The fries was cold and the tips was nothing but fat and very few of them. I now know why there business is no longer overflowing. I will not be going back there.

Best bbq I've had other than Chicago! I had the rib tip combo with wings, fries, and baked beans. Yum!!! Hubby wanted pulled pork but they ran out rather early. Will come back when passing through town.

Best rib tips!!! I drive from Monroe,LA just to enjoy E&L Barbeque. Be prepared to wait in line! It is still worth the wait.

I'm so glad someone Yelped this place!! I thought it was going to be lost in my mind forever. We ate here during our last night in Jackson and the feast was well worth it. We ordered 15 racks of ribs, a couple orders of tri-tip, and some fixings. I think the total was around $200 or so. My memory fails me with the exact number but I remember thinking what a great deal all of it was. I remember picking up the food at this hole-in-wall and it was sooooo smokey in there! I didn't mind it all though because that sight made me a believer. The ribs were legit, tender, and doused with delicious sauce! I loved the food here SO MUCH that I packed it in my luggage, took it on the plane back to California, put it in my freezer, got messy while eating some in the plane, and brought the rest out to eat 5 months later. Needless to say, even the best ribs do not do well after that kind of journey. I got a bad stomachache.

E & L BBQ - a true Jackson staple! If you are from out of town like the two previous yelpers, it is in the hood! Bailey Avenue is rough, but just don't go looking for anything extra (like drugs or making a stop at one of the gas stations on the strip, they are strictly for the locals in the neighborhood and I'll leave it at that!) or making any extra stops once you leave E & L and you will be fine. It is actually in a convenient location from Interstate 55, if your GPS is up to date, you will have no problems finding this place. They are closed on Sundays & Mondays. On to the grub - been eating at E & L since I came to Jackson in 1993, to attend The Jackson State University. I ALWAYS, I REPEAT ALWAYS get the Rib Tip and Sausage Link combo. They have the meatiest rib tips and their sausage links, just have this pop to them! Every once in a blue moon I will order their fried chicken wings and have them dipped in their home made BBQ sauce, but here is the but to ordering the chicken wings, they make'em fresh to order, so they just don't have any ready to go at a moments notice and sometimes you may have some butt head who putt in an order of 50 and you end up waiting 30 minutes and no one is even there! Anyhow, really nice people that have been in business for years and I have to give'em their props as a local eatery and hope to see their continued success. I recommend any adventurous connoisseur to check'em out! Like I said, I get the large "Tip & Link with sauce on the fries" - if you don't want to look out of place, order that exactly!

After living in the South for four years, this was the BEST BBQ I've ever had. Fair warning - this place is in the ghetto. There is an armed guard here at all times to protect the super secret recipes from being stolen (at least I'm pretty sure that's what he was protecting). I ordered sausage, a turkey leg, and potato salad. If you like those bigass turkey legs you get at Six Flags, wait until you try one from here. Also, on the food pyramid, this definitely classifies as a "once-in-a-while food". Over consumption of this awesomeness will certainly not improve your health situation.

I'm not a big barbecue fan but when it comes to E&L I'm always up for it. This isn't a place to be cute and go out to but I mean you're eating bbq so it shouldn't have to be. I usually get the rib tips and they are soo good! Comes with hella sauce and even if you say no sauce you're usually gonna get sauce on the fries anyway. lol The customer service always surprises me because they're all so professional and nice. Just all around good vibes like you're at a family cookout. Plus the food portions are rather large. You'll be full for sure.

Ok.. As a disclaimer, I have only been fortunate enough to eat E&L once in my life. So far. But after the better part of a decade, this place is still something I literally dream of. Life changing as only a REAL BBQ experience can do. Ordered ribs and hot links. The ribs were stellar, but dat link doe... F*ck me. Never have I encountered a sausage so perfectly smoked so to allow a modest plastic fork to pull chunks away from its flank like crumbling ancient ruins while still maintaining delicious moisture and a lot of smoke. If they still gave death row prisoners last meals in this country, I would take more than a few lives just to get those links delivered to me. There was also cornbread. Or what is more accurately described as a vessel for that amazingly complex and tangy sauce to enter my face. Friends got tips and wings, also fantastic. But on my next trip within 300 miles of Jackson, you can bet I'll make the detour for those links. Ambience needs to be witnessed to appreciate. We came for relatively early lunch, dined-in in the markedly spacious and unfilled seating area, watching the takeout BBQ junkies get their fix while we sat and feasted on the taste and smell of the stuff that God and Satan alike could agree on, and then destroy the world for. Open smoker right next to the counter. Makes it hard to walk past without getting more for the road. But i will be back... Oh I hope so. (Some pun intended.) Nice photo collection, too.

It was worth braving the shady location and sooty interior of the restaurant to get what I believe is some of the best BBQ I have ever had. We got the sausage, ribs, pulled pork, potato salad and red beans. At the time of ordering I thought we were being gluttonous to get so much food for just two people. But we finished every bit of it in one go! The sausage was very spicy, just the way I like it, and the ribs were done to perfection. They forgot to give us BBQ sauce on the side like we had asked, but even without that, it was yummy. And the pulled pork..so soft and flavorsome! Definitely a must-visit for BBQ lovers.

Good links, ok ribs, and pass on the limp/soggy fries. Go with sauce on the side unless you like everything covered in a sweet sauce.

I have eaten bbq all over the country and am blessed that the best from coast to coast is right here at home! If only one day they would sell their sausage by the pound in a meat market type corner of the restaurant I would be in heaven :)

Ok so after years of painful waiting and fears of going alone as a tall white man to this place, I finally got the courage to go. All the reviews are spot on, this place is surely smack in the don't go if you are a white guy side of town. Nonetheless outside of some deep stares I was left alone to eat the huge portions of charred animal protein. Well, IMO the hype didn't match the product. Unless you like extremely burnt fatty as all heck messy soaked ribs I would miss this opportunity and save your time for a drive to Leatha's in Hattiesburg. I have Literally ate ribs at over a 100 places in 10 states and found this near the bottom of the pack. I will say, if you like adventure and want a taste of local Jackson life style it's a fun time. Btw the security guard was there and really nice.

As has been pointed out, this is in the hood, w/ abandoned and dilapidated buildings around it. Being the only soda cracker (for the younger crowd, that means white boy) on either side of the counter was fine w/ me, but the armed security guard working the door did raise my eyebrow. You order at the counter, with a single line that was about 15 deep when I got there, and was up around 25 when I left. It didn't move too quickly. I was there for fried chicken, of which they only had wings. Bigger wings than the typical chains, but not huge. Very tasty. Baked beans had a good, smokey flavor. Other foods on the menu included fried fish, plus most of the typical bbq fare and sides. Bottled or canned soft drinks. Reasonable prices. You can eat there, but hardly anyone was. A friendly smile and wave good-bye from the security guard, and I was on my way, happy that I managed another night w/ out eating at one of the chains that repeat all across the country.

Pretty average. Not bad, not especially good. I don't have much to say about this place.

Some of the best BBQ in Jackson. Got the ribs and chicken. Enough food for two meals. Great people.

I love their ribs! They are always delicious. The building may not be inviting, but there is always a line! The employees are always very pleasant and will help you to choose from their menu and they are always on target. I totally enjoy any item that I choose, but their ribs are my favorite. Check them out, you will not be disappointed!

Do E&L have new owners? The food was awful! My ribs were very salty and tough, my hot links were over cooked and the food was cold. The food is not the same. Please, bring back the original E&L!!!

Hands down absolutely the place to go for BBQ! I've been here multiple times and have loved it every time. The place is always super busy so be prepared to wait. It's well worth the wait. I stop by every chance I get!

Amount of food you get for what you pay is decent. The ribs were tender, but a little salty.

To say I was disappointed would be an overstatement. I am giving this three stars only because the rest of my family enjoyed the pulled pork sandwiches. I on the other hand had the rib tips and links. Bad! Dry, no flavor. Link was so dry, I could not have eaten it without the sauces. We drove out of our way to try this "Awesome" spot.