Elmer's Barbecue

Amazing BBQ joint, great food, great hospitality, and great music. We'd planned on eating BBQ elsewhere and that place was closed so on a whim decided to eat here and boy am I glad we did. The food was incredible, the bad-wich with the hot link was great, all that meat plus a rib is a bargain and it's all really good. The sides were great too, creamy cole slaw, delicious beans and what I'm guessing is considered a mashed potato salad; very interesting and very good. The beans were the side my wife chose to go with her sandwich and they're impressive. The staff were super friendly and helpful; I adored the older lady who served us; she was so nice and we did not want for anything. Great job!!!

Excellent and friendly wait staff. Food was great. The atmosphere was kewl. Lots of things to look at... fun history.

Definitely on my list of top 5 barbecue places in Tulsa. I try to rate places based on what they would definitely cook in-house such as brisket, ribs, chicken or pork. Not bologna or sausage links. Everything I've had here is delicious and has a wonderful smokey flavor. The sauces are decent and do not overpower the meat. If it's busy you might have to wait a bit but the staff has always been very friendly and eager to serve.

Elmer's is the place for great barbecue! Not only are their meats tasty, but sides like baked beans, potato salad, and coleslaw are terrific. Their portion sizes are ample. Don't expect to go home hungry. They also have good service, even if it is a busy time like lunchtime.

I was in town for a few days from out of state and happened to drive by Elmer's. "It be bad" and that stereotypical depiction of Elmer on the storefront had me at first glance. The asymmetric face and raised left eye are curiously inviting. As I crossed the threshold my nerves were immediately soothed by the southern blues playing over the speakers. The atmosphere was amazing. It's as if those sassy blues were put into physical form, in the form of peeling floor, chairs held together with tape, a complimentary pickle bar, the kind greeting by Dorothy, who I assume is Elmer's widow, etc., etc. Upon opening the menu I was delighted to see the spirit of "It be bad" was a running theme. One example is the option of ordering the "Badwich." The pleasant depiction of Elmer's face was everywhere. The portions of food were very generous. The sweet sauce had a distinct flavor. The BBQ was good and authentic, at least as far as I know authentic, Southern barbecue, but with a slogan as good as "It be bad" how could it be anything but? My experience was bad, as in "it be bad." 4 stars for the food, 5 stars for the atmosphere, which only could have been improved by the presence of Elmer himself..., or maybe a live blues bands in the corner, or perhaps Elmer carrying a side of ribs out of the kitchen in a grease stained apron, setting down the platter and getting up on stage with the band next to a guy named Fat Eddie or something, taking up an old Gibson in time for a quick lead and then closing the song with a smooth and sassy "It be bad."

I've been going to Elmer's BBQ for over 23 years. Back when Elmer was alive, it was by far the best BBQ in the world and he would greet us by name! Since Elmer passed on, the family still runs the restaurant, but the quality went down to just totally excellent. It is still the best BBQ anywhere. Elmer's sauces are y far the best anywhere. Elmer use to bring us out his special hot sauce from the back that would change a cold winter day into the hottest summer day and still tasted excellent. I don't know if they still have it in the back because they don't come around to chat anymore and instead of paying Elmer at the desk, you pay the waitress at the table. Still, if I could afford it, I would eat at Elmer's BBQ everyday except Sunday and Monday when they are closed!

Very nice, mild BBQ. Everything was good. The pulled pork was shredded fine but still moist and flavorful. Sauce was thin, pretty sweet with a bit of tart. Baked beans were perfectly cooked with meat in them. Slaw was medium fine chopped, milky, a bit tart, crunchy and freshly made. Potato salad was creamy smooth, the texture of mashed potatoes. It had sweet pickle relish and mustard in it I think. They have full table service. Service was attentive. This was Saturday night. It was a little crowded when I arrived but sparse as I left. I took my time. Nice, friendly crowd. Music was a B. B. King kind of blues. Perfect relaxed atmosphere. There was a front patio with umbrella covered tables that was not open. Too cool a night I guess. They seemed to be filling a lot of take-out orders. That's a good sign. Most people don't order take-out unless they have been to a place before and love at least one thing on the menu.

Don't get here as much as I used to, but in a town with some heavy hitters in the BBQ game, Elmer's holds its own and is sort of an open secret imo. Their brisket is excellent, and their home recipe BBQ sauces are sweet and tangy and go great with everything. I take friends and family here when they visit. Maybe better for lunch or a quick dinner. You won't be disappointed.