Hole In the Wall BBQ

Barbecue restaurant · Pioneer Square

Hole In the Wall BBQ

Barbecue restaurant · Pioneer Square

4

215 James St, Seattle, WA 98104

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Hole In the Wall BBQ by Meg van Huygen
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Hole In the Wall BBQ by null
Hole In the Wall BBQ by null
Hole In the Wall BBQ by null
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Hole In the Wall BBQ by null
Hole In the Wall BBQ by null
Hole In the Wall BBQ by null
Hole In the Wall BBQ by null
Hole In the Wall BBQ by null
Hole In the Wall BBQ by null
Hole In the Wall BBQ by null
Hole In the Wall BBQ by null
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Hole In the Wall BBQ by null
Hole In the Wall BBQ by null
Hole In the Wall BBQ by null
Hole In the Wall BBQ by null
Hole In the Wall BBQ by null
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Hole In the Wall BBQ by null
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Hole In the Wall BBQ by null
Hole In the Wall BBQ by null
Hole In the Wall BBQ by null
Hole In the Wall BBQ by null
Hole In the Wall BBQ by null

Highlights

Texas-style brisket, ribs, pulled pork, chili & house-made sauces  

Featured in The Infatuation
Featured in Eater

215 James St, Seattle, WA 98104 Get directions

holebbqseattle.com
@holeinthewallbbq

$10–20 · Menu

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215 James St, Seattle, WA 98104 Get directions

+1 206 622 8717
holebbqseattle.com
@holeinthewallbbq

$10–20 · Menu

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Last updated

Aug 11, 2025

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@infatuation

The 10 Best BBQ Spots In Seattle - Seattle - The Infatuation

"To get your hands on a spicy BBQ sauce affectionately named the “hole burner,” head to this Pioneer Square spot. At Hole In The Wall, you’ll find subtly sweet baked beans, a paprika-dusted potato salad that keeps its chunky integrity, and most importantly, the lipstick sandwich. This sandwich tops all other BBQ pulled pork sandwiches in the city, with pickles that cut through saucy shredded meat and coleslaw that adds a fresh crunch, all smothered in even more lipstick sauce, which is a tangy mustard-leaning sauce that makes the whole dish a lot more savory and light." - aimee rizzo, kayla sager riley

https://www.theinfatuation.com/seattle/guides/best-bbq-seattle
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@eater

The Best Barbecue in Seattle | Eater Seattle

"When Midwestern pitmaster Chuck Forsyth opened Hole in the Wall BBQ in 1989, he was one of the only restaurateurs in Seattle serving Texas-style barbecue, and the office crowds have flocked to this tiny storefront on James Street ever since. (His son John and John’s wife, Diane, have been running the show since Forsyth passed in 2006.) Today, the barbecue is a hodgepodge of Texas, South Carolina, and St. Louis styles, offering a mustardy Carolinian sauce option to adorn the dry-rubbed STL pork ribs and the low-and-slow Texas-style brisket, replete with smoke ring. House specialties include the smoked meatloaf sandwich and the chopped hot link sandwich. Hours are limited to lunchtime on weekdays, so plan ahead." - Meg van Huygen

https://seattle.eater.com/maps/best-barbecue-seattle
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@eater

The Best Lunches in Seattle | Eater Seattle

"This aptly named barbecue joint was started by Chuck Forsyth in 1989 — back when Texas-style barbecue was a rarity in Seattle — and is run today by Chuck’s son and daughter-in-law, John and Diane, who only serve lunch and only open on the weekdays. Come for the brisket, the smokey barbecue sauce, and the dry-rubbed St. Louis–style ribs. The only bummer about the place is you have to go back to work afterward." - Harry Cheadle

https://seattle.eater.com/maps/the-best-lunches-in-seattle
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@infatuation

Hole In The Wall BBQ Review - Pioneer Square - Seattle - The Infatuation

"To get your hands on a spicy BBQ sauce affectionately named the “hole burner,” head to this Pioneer Square spot. At Hole In The Wall, you’ll find subtly sweet baked beans, a paprika-dusted potato salad that keeps its chunky integrity, and most importantly, the lipstick sandwich. This sandwich tops all other BBQ pulled pork sandwiches in the city, with pickles that cut through saucy shredded meat and coleslaw that adds a fresh crunch, all smothered in even more lipstick sauce, which is a tangy mustard-leaning sauce that makes the whole dish a lot more savory and light." - Kayla Sager-Riley

https://www.theinfatuation.com/seattle/reviews/hole-in-the-wall-bbq
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Sam Warren

Google
Taylor and John, thank you guys for a fantastic lunch. To put it simply.... Wow. Outstanding job. My wife and I are from Tallahassee, Florida and are in town seeing all the sights for a few more days. Lunch today was my choice and you knocked it out of the park. Amazing brisket sandwich and hot link. The chili was hands down the best I've ever had. But the cornbread. My wife's cornbread disappears in an instant when she makes it. She took one bite of your and stopped, smiled and turned to me and swore it was better than hers. I had a bite and agreed. We both were amazed. You've been in business since '89 and we know why. Here's another round of applause from us to you. Thank you. Sam and Anna

Dominick

Google
I work close by and I'm always on the lookout for new places to try. BBQ isn't well represented downtown so I was happy to find this place close by. Really nice restaurant in pioneer square with a nice selection of meats, sides and different platters. Prices aren't too crazy but this is still some expensive BBQ (normal in Seattle). I will definitely return! Brisket: 🔥 Hot link: 🔥 Potato salad: 🔥 Cornbread: 🙃 Cornbread w/ honey butter: 🔥

Felix

Google
Love this place! Small and mighty BBQ spot in Seattle. Was there during my trip. They prepared a fantastic sampler and combo for me - the brisket is amazing

Adrian Salvadore

Google
Wow so good! Had the combo with brisket, pulled pork, cornbread and a side of chili. I don’t know how I finished it all, the portions were huge. We also took the spicy link sausage and that was very good too. Price was cheap cheap compared to the rest of Seattle! Must come!!

James Wald

Google
I was working nearby and am always on the lookout for new BBQ spots. It's a small place so takeout is probably a good option, but there are a few seats inside. The woman who helped me at the counter was friendly and knowledgable. The chicken was a bit on the tough side but nicely shredded and sauce was good. Brisket was just the right amount of tender and smoked flavor. The beans weren't anything special, just seemed like they were from a can. Overall, it was a nice quick lunch with good food. I feel they would probably be doing more business if not located in such a grimy area of downtown.

Darko Nikolovski

Google
I was very excited to try this place based on the reviews,But unfortunately its was a big disappointment 😞.The bun was very soggy and the pulled chicken -dark meat was cold and it was a mess to much sauce.

Brabs Joobby

Google
If you're in Seattle, and happen to have the chance to visit here, do not let it pass. Friendly staff, amazing food, and a clean casual interior, this is the must go to spot for lunch. I have never bought a sandwich with such tender, melt in your mouth, pulled meat, and I am unsure if I ever will again. 😊

Nate Henson

Google
Visited Hole in the Wall BBQ last Wednesday and had an excellent experience! Opted for the combo plate with three meats and received two brisket portions and one spicy sausage. Unfortunately, they missed including the sausage, which I only realized when I returned to the office. The flavors were incredibly smoky and delicious. My partner ordered the same combo and got the smoked sausage portion, generously letting me have a taste. It was wonderfully smoky, perfectly spicy, and delightfully fatty. Easily a 5/5 rating! Planning to return for ribs on Thursday and Friday, or maybe indulge in their Smoked Meatloaf on Monday. (Note: The attached pictures show leftovers from the next day as I forgot to capture the meal on the day of my visit.)
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Andrew W.

Yelp
I don't have much to say here. I stopped in while spending a day in Seattle and had a great $15 spicy barbecue lunch. It made me want a Hole in the Wall in Kirkland. What do you say guys? Open up in the Eastside?
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Kevin J.

Yelp
Ordered delivery and food was still warm and on time. Order night before or early am on website. They are only open a few hours and the food goes extremely fast. The place is literally a hole in the wall, maybe 15 people could fit and it is not an eat-in but the food is absolutely delicious and I come from a southern BBQ state. If you pickup stay on the swivel as the neighborhood is sketchy; with the unfortunate homeless and drug addicted brothers & sisters.

Alexander F.

Yelp
Food was amazing! I ended up coming earlier than indicated on my order to pick my food up and while I was willing to wait, they bagged it quickly and I was on my way. Food was amazing. I got a pound of brisket with two sauces and a side of sausage. Usually I get sauce on the side for bbq, but forgot, which was fine because it was the perfect amount. Not too light but also didn't drench the meat. I will definitely be back probably once a month, it's very close to my apartment and worth the money.
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Francis V.

Yelp
If you are downtown and want good barbecue with good customer service stop here. I stopped by on a Monday afternoon, there were a few people inside. I walked up and someone helped me decide what I wanted. I came in for rib tips but they only serve ribs on Thursday and Friday (call ahead to make sure the days are accurate). I chose the 2 meat combo - brisket and hot links with beans. I made a good choice because the food was so good. I asked them to mix the sauce so it's not too spicy and it was perfect. When I come to Seattle again I'm going to be sure to stop by "this" hole in the wall for more yummy barbecue. The hours are short so get it while you can.
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Trisha A.

Yelp
We used them to cater an event and they were amazing and so was the food!!! Food: Bbq brisket 5 stars, chicken 4 stars, and pork 5 stars. Corn bread 5 stars Beans 4 stars Brownies 5 stars Coleslaw 4 stars Potato salad 5 stars Service: Friendly and helpful. Ambiance: We ordered online, but with the catering we didn't go into their space. We will definitely use them again in the future and we were asked multiple times where they were so they could order the food again.
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Paul R.

Yelp
Picked up a couple hundred bucks of meat and sides for a family gathering and boy this turned out pretty darn great choice. The hot links were hot and tasty but the brisket was the real star. Old and young alike were back for seconds and thirds. The sauces were good, the potato salad dialed in so not mayo-laden and not too mustard and not too huge bricks of potato. The gentlemen behind the counter, when I picked up the order, was so kind and friendly and helpful, I stayed and talked with him long past the time it would have taken to just pick up food. The joint is kind of a hole in the wall, thus the name is appropriate, but there is nothing sketchy about the cuisine and I'll definitely be back.
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Titian M.

Yelp
Amazing BBQ , reminded me of home a bit. Amazing service I don't know the ladies name but nice atmosphere amazing service.
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Phoebe C.

Yelp
Was looking for some barbecue in Seattle and found this place. It was OK but the portions were very small. Flavor is pretty good but definitely need the extra sauce! However, the cashier was very friendly and helpful. I could tell this place was a fan favorite
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Marc K.

Yelp
Seating was perimeter counter style and no tables. Lighting excellent No music was great Food was absolutely amazing The staff was pleasantly engaged! Ribs perfectly smoked and cooked with perfect amount of sauce. Brisket was moist and delicious. Chicken was of the pulled sort but hands down best I ever had! I'm coming back!
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Carol J.

Yelp
I could smell the barbecue from outside the store!!! Walked in with a colleague as we were on the hunt for some barbecue and Jack's was an epic fail so we've been very apprehensive about trying another one in Seattle. So glad we walked in here! When you walk in, don't expect much in decor - it is rustic and basic, which is part of the charm! I was there for barbecue and they sure did not disappoint! I ordered the brisket/ribs/pulled pork combo and everything was mouth-wateringly delicious! The brisket and ribs were moist and the pulled pork was very tasty. The 2 gentlemen in the store were super pleasant and were quick to get our orders out. The only reason I'm giving them 4 stars is because their cornbread was kinda bland. While it is 100% better than Jack's, it's still not quite there yet. I'm very used to the Texas/Tennessee/NC style cornbreads which are hard to beat. Outside of that, their potato salad was good, and the baked beans was solid! We will definitely be back here for more barbecue in the future! I can safely say that this is a really great place and the price they charge is so worth it! Give them a try - you'll enjoy it for sure!
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Jacques I.

Yelp
Man, I wanted to really like Hole in the Wall BBQ because the owner is sooo awesome and friendly! Plus, there's not much BBQ around Seattle, so we need more meaty choices. But after my colleague and I ate our lunch from here, we thought it was just A-OK. My colleague and I were walking back to the office and needed to find a spot while en route for takeout. We found Hole in the Wall BBQ and had heard great things about it, so decided to check it out. The space is not the largest, but has enough seating for those who want to dine in; but it seems like this place is mostly a takeout spot with it being so close to many offices. The menu was straightforward with a lot to offer, with specials of the day. I decided to get the two-meat combination, which comes with a choice of two meats and a choice of a side. For meats, I chose brisket and chicken and the potato salad as a side, and for sauce, I asked for the spicy one. It didn't take long for us to get our takeout, which was nice since we were on a time crunch. As mentioned, the food was okay. The brisket was overcooked, so was more on the dry side and though the chicken wasn't dry, it had a very chewy texture. Although I ordered my entrée with the spicy sauce, the sauce was not spicy at all. However, the potato salad was chilled and tasty. Perhaps I came on an off day, but I thought the BBQ wasn't anything I'd crave again. It wasn't bad, but I'd likely check out another eatery for lunch.
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David V.

Yelp
Incredible!!! Beef brisket and pulled pork. Side of potato salad. Bomb! I am euphoric. Will return asap.
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Caitlin B.

Yelp
I circled back to this place on my walk home, so glad I did! It's the perfect amount of fatty pieces, juicy and their homemade coleslaw is top tier. The pricing is fair, especially being downtown! I ordered the two meat plate with spicy sauce(pork and brisket). This meal paired with a sweet tea is perfect. The people here are really friendly, and great with recommendations if you don't know what you want
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Ken B.

Yelp
Visited this place today and really enjoyed their spareribs, brisket, hot links and potato salad. I could use a little more smoke flavor, but overall, great option for folks who live in the greater Seattle area looking for delicious BBQ.
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Samuel C.

Yelp
Are you looking for a new restaurant that has phenomenal barbecue don't forget to stop at hole in the wall. Yes, that's the name of the restaurant right here in Seattle. I will definitely give it four out of five stars.
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Sandra V.

Yelp
Delicious brisket sandwich Very nice and greatly attentive staff. Clean and wonderful place. Will definitely have to stop by again.
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Michael W.

Yelp
Decent BBQ at a good price. Meal runs you about $19 with everything pictured here but you can get the entrees by themselves for cheaper. Personally I was a bigger fan of the pulled pork as the brisket was a bit cold but still tasted solid. Won't blow your mind but it scratches the BBQ itch pretty well. Service is extremely quick too.
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Kylee L.

Yelp
We were visiting from Las Vegas and came across Hole in the Wall bbq from tiktok so we decided to give it a try. Went right when they opened and we were greeted by a lovely lady (didn't get her name) she was so friendly and kind and broke down the menu for us. So many options. Sadly they didn't have ribs only in specific days HOWEVER we ended up getting three choice combo plate. Brisket, sausage links and pulled pork. ALL THREE ARE AMAZING. We got the sauce mild only because my boyfriend doesn't like spicy like I do. So I had their hot bbq sauce in the side and it was a nice kick. Brisket was so tender and moist. Sausage links were fantastic with their sauce as well, and pulled pork was almost juicy and moist not dry at all. As the sides we got cornbread, beans and potato salad all three were delish! Overall I would return back to here especially because the customer service was great.
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Theresia J.

Yelp
Probably the best sausages I've ever eaten in my life. Seriously. The woman taking the order was also the kindest person you'll ever meet during your rush lunch hour.
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Samuel O.

Yelp
Got 1/3 ribs and coleslaw served in To Go boxes when I asked them for here. Personally, wouldn't care as long as the food was good, but I was disappointed. Ribs are only offered on Thursdays and Fridays so my expectations were high. Turns out the ribs are overcooked and dry. It's like eating tough beef jerky covered in a sweet & spicy sauce. Coleslaw tasted amazing (would've been 2-stars without it), but the sauces were so watered down it looked like the coleslaw was sitting in cold stew. Luckily the salad still had its structure, and it was seasoned very well.

Kathi J.

Yelp
I placed a catering order for pick up via the website. Ordering was super easy as was payment. The directions are clear and easy to follow. On pick up day we arrived right on time and our order was ready. The customer service excellent. They even carried our order to our car for us. They packaged everything in boxes that were easy to transport and I didn't have any concerns about them sliding around in my car. Now the best part - the food! We ordered brisket, pulled pork, hot links, ribs, potato salad, coleslaw, beans and cornbread. Everything was incredible! Pretty much all of the team went back for seconds and some thirds. There was plenty for everyone! Thanks Hole in the Wall I will definitely think of you when choosing my catering events and passed your info along to other groups in my office for future events!
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Stephen H.

Yelp
I heard about this place from Carl at the Sky Observatory. Finally, a coworker and I decided to try and we were not disappointed. Incredible BBQ!!! We both had a Pile and will be returning.
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Jamie E.

Yelp
This place is amazing. The brisket is to die for. I was so happy to learn that they recently re-opened after being closed during the pandemic... Do you know how sometimes when you're missing a place you romanticize your memory of the taste of your favorite dishes and when you finally get to go back it's good but can't live up to the fantasy taste memory in your head? WELL, somehow the brisket here is even better than what I remembered pre-pandemic. IT'S THAT GOOD!! And on top of that, Diane and John are the kindest, friendliest people you'll ever meet. In a crazy world, we all deserve the warmth and comfort of these two fantastic folks and the best brisket you'll ever have. What are you waiting for?? They can't wait to see you!

Fat E.

Yelp
The most incredible BBQ. Consistently so good and always very friendly! Opanga loves Hole in the Wall
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Danielle H.

Yelp
Ordered them for company catering for a 75 person lunch. Very professional, efficient service, and great staff. The quality of the food was spectacular. Every body was happy, and the caterer knew about dietary restrictions and the food ingredients for my planning purposes. I will definitely think about catering through this company again, and I am excited to go try them in person.

D T.

Yelp
Such a cozy place! The woman at the counter was so sweet and friendly. She seemed to be familiar with half the people that walked in. Really gave it a neighborhood feel. Tiny space, but intimate. The food was also great, meat was tender and portions were filling.
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Michael R.

Yelp
Finally found a BBQ establishment in Seattle that is delicious! The brisket and spicy sausage, plus baked beans were very good, authentic smoked flavor, that doesn't need sauces to taste good. Definitely will be coming to this place more regularly when in Downtown Seattle. Right across from the courthouse and close to everything including Smith Tower.
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Lydia L.

Yelp
Update: Initially I gave a three-star rating. Given the explanation by Diane the business owner, I understand now why the delivery took so long. That also confirmed our guess of the long delivery making the food taste not as good. To adjust that impact I'll bump up my rating by one star. Original review: Our team wanted to do a BBQ lunch and we were super hyped by the good reviews for Chuck's. We couldn't make it out here, so we decided to get delivery from Postmates. According to the host on the phone, their Postmates menu was outdated so everything's listed $1 cheaper than the actual price. We waited for almost an hour to get our food. By that time all of us were starving so that lifted our expectation even more. I got the two-meat combo (pulled chicken & beef brisket) with a side of spikes (sliced links). Unfortunately, since the delivery took so long, the food was barely warm. I could still tell that the quality of the meat was good. However, neither the beef brisket nor the pulled chicken thigh was tender or juicy enough. They both felt a little dry. The spikes were good, slightly spicy too, which gave my palate a nice kick. The BBQ sauce was too heavy and sweet for me, plus it flowed around the meat so very little flavor actually got into the meat. I tried a little bit of the pulled pork and liked it more than the pulled chicken. The pork had more of a "pulled/shredded" texture than the chicken, which I preferred. The cornbread was delicious too, slightly sweet and perfectly moist, probably the best cornbread I've every had. The combo I ordered was supposed to be $12.5 before tax, which was a really good value considering the amount of meat you get. However, since we ordered it on Postmates, the total price somehow got messed up, plus the service fee we had to pay. The delivery was way pricier than dine-in ($19.5 for my order). Thus delivery is strongly NOT recommended. We also suspect that the one-hour delivery made the food way less tasty. My teammates were pretty disappointed by the food we got today, but I'd like to blame that on the extra long delivery. If I have a chance I'll probably try dining in. Never gonna order delivery again tho.
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Tori Z.

Yelp
Overall I was unimpressed, there is better BBQ in Seattle. I got the pulled pork sandwich and the potato salad. The pork was good, but not super succulent and moist. The potato salad was actually pretty good. This is a good place for a quick lunch bite, but if you have the time I would suggest trekking up to Bitterroot in Ballard or RoRo in Fremont.
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Selah T.

Yelp
Cute little place in pioneer square. This is by far the best BBQ I've tried! I ordered from Jason and Marcus and they provided me with extremely excellent customer service. They were friendly and made me feel as if I was apart of their family. I didn't know what to get so they offered the bbq ribs as a suggestion. Hands down, THEEEEE best. Each bite I took sent me straight to the heavens. I feel like I was resurrected from the dead. It was life changing. I am definitely coming back to try the pulled pork sandwich. Trust the hole in the wall places!!
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Rebecca W.

Yelp
I'm honestly bamboozled at how this place got 4.5 stars on yelp as I would have expected 3 stars at best. The brisket is pretty good, but don't get the chicken or pulled pork. The shop has nice themed decor that fits the fact it's a bbq place, and the staff were friendly and efficient, the only thing I have complaints about is the food itself. My boyfriend got the pile with brisket (also comes with corn bread and baked beans) and I got the double combo with pulled pork, chicken and potato salad. Brisket pile (4/5 stars): this dish was pretty good and based on this dish alone I can sort of understand the high rating for the restaurant. The brisket was tender, and the corn bread doused in beans paired very well with the brisket. I thought the brisket could have had a little more flavor (maybe a more flavorful sauce?) and the beans weren't particularly special. Pulled pork (2/5 stars): the pork was a good consistency and shredded well, but I thought the bbq sauce that is integral to its flavor was lacking. The pork also didn't have that smoky of a flavor. Chicken (1/5 stars): the chicken wasn't shredded so it wasn't very integrated with the sauce and the chicken definitely didn't taste smoky. Overall, the flavor was immensely lacking for the chicken and it gets 1 star only because it was cooked properly. Potato salad (4/5 stars): this was super tasty! Great ratio of potato to the mayo mixture and the potato was cut to an appropriate size. This or the cornbread was the highlight of the meal for me! Overall, I think the brisket, cornbread and potato salad were pretty good, but the beans, chicken and pork were lacking in flavor. I think some of the flavor problems could be fixed if the bbq sauce was improved. Maybe the meatloaf and ribs are better, but the fact that a bbq place has two bbq meats with meh flavor is why I gave it only 2 stars. I won't be back and would only recommend to people if they want brisket.
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Ken L.

Yelp
Overall, an alright place to grab barbeque. I have eaten: Pulled Pork - not their best item as at times the meat tends to be too chunky and rather dry, even with sauce drenched bites. Hot Links - solid sausage flavor but the link itself is more smokier than it is actually "hot". The Hot Link Sandwich is an excellent deal, a ton of sliced hot links between two buns. Brisket - usually thickly sliced. Good smoke and prefer this over the pulled pork anytime. Chili bowl - hearty, hearty bowl - a meat eater's ideal snack. Chunks of ground round with the right amount of beans (I hate chili that has 75% beans and hardly any meat)! Chuck's Spicy BBQ sauce is actually spicy, as advertised. Ribs are sold only on Thursdays and Fridays so I most definitely will hit it again for a taste.
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Paul K.

Yelp
Absolutely awesome BBQ! As you walk in, the wonderful smells hit you at once. I commented that I wish I could bottle that smell. Very friendly staff and great BBQ choices from brisket, pulled pork, chili, chicken products, etc. My wife got the Combo Plate with sliced beef brisket and pulled pork. I got the one called The Pile. It is sort of like the kitchen sink dish with multiple items put into one dish. It had cornbread layered with baked beans, a meat of your choice (I picked pulled pork) and topped with their house-made Bullwhacker BBQ sauce. Absolutely wonderful. I love this place and wish there were more of them around. If you like BBQ, this place won't disappoint.
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Marie B.

Yelp
Clearly it's been a long time since my initial visit to Chuck's Hole in the Wall BBQ back in Dec 2013. Today ~11am, I find myself waiting in the line for next door's Il Corvo. However, when someone from Chuck's opened their front entrance also for lunch, Holy Lord, what an amazing aroma that came wafting out! Committed to mind was a compelling note to self, must worship at the temple of pork ribs. Got my takeout for the family from Il Corvo, but had a few more minutes left on the meter. So I bought a half rack of those mighty fine ribs and a side of potato salad also to go. I high tailed it home via I-5 and dug into the best combo lunch. Those ribs and that potato salad hit the mark and held their own with the Cacio e Pepe entrée from next door. My husband and our kiddo is very lucky that I didn't scarf their quota of the ribs. Nearly inhaled the potato salad. Thank you to the fellow Shoreliner who made it a point to remind me of Chuck's Hole in the Wall BBQ amazing pork ribs!

James B.

Yelp
Good food would have better rating if they took credit cards maybe I'm old fashioned but thats just me

Eric R.

Yelp
Was in town from Wisconsin to the Brewers play the Mariners! This place is awesome! Ran by second generation owners who work the store. Tried the meat sampler of brisket, pulled pork and the hot links. All cooked to perfection. They also do ribs on Thurs and Fridays in limited amounts so I had to try those too!! They ribs also did not disappoint. Both sauces were Fire! Will definitely be back next time we are in Seattle! I'm glad you re-opened post C@v!& and wish you continued success...... remember Wisconsin If you ever franchise :-D!
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Ronald W.

Yelp
Had the beef sandwich and a sausage spike at the recommendation of the dude working the counter. Mighty tasty minimalistic BBQ, just bread meat and sauce. Maybe just a tad on the expensive side compared to a Cedar River.
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Bethany M.

Yelp
Hole in the Wall catered a lunch for 15 people for us: flawless service (Diane is great to work with); they delivered and set up 10 minutes before the scheduled delivery time, and the food was perfectly prepared (that brisket is the best in the area -- don't miss it, either in the restaurant or for catering/pick up; the ribs were also excellent). Even the brownies were worth the calories (threw those in as an afterthought for folks who wanted dessert - no regrets there).
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Justin W.

Yelp
There are several events in my life that I will remember forever. For example, in 1986 my favorite rapper of all time, Drake, was born to a mixed race couple in Canada. In 1990, I listened to the greatest song ever made, rapper Gerardo's "Rico Suave." In 1993, I watched the greatest movie of all time, the motion picture spectacle about Jamaican bobsledders entitled Cool Runnings. In 1998, my favorite Winter Olympic Games of all time were held in Nagano, Japan and my all time favorite athlete, Hermann Maier of Austria, won the gold in spectacular fashion in the giant slalom. Then in 2004 my favorite Mars land rover, Spirit, landed on Mars. Who can forget that one? In 2009, my favorite monetary cataclysm of all time happened when the Icelandic banking system collapsed causing the downfall of the Icelandic government and resignation of the Prime Minister Geir Haarde. In 2013, I cried more than any other year as I tried to cope with Miley Cyrus's and Liam Hemsworth's breakup. And now in 2016, we can add another important historical milestone to my timeline; the discovery of Hole in the Wall BBQ. It's a great lunch alternative to eating Chipolte's norovirus infested tacos, GaBurri's stank putrid sushi burritos, or bringing in last nights leftovers which for me are typically a combination of my usual dinner; a blue raspberry gas station slurpee and a box of Trader Joe's Joe Joe's sandwich creme cookies, a delicious combination of enriched wheat flour, cane juice syrup, and folic acid. Yum. Plus the laborers at this eatery are gregarious and pleasant. This place rocks more than Steel Dragon, the fictitious rock band fronted by Izzy Cole (played by Mark Wahlberg) from the best movie of 2001, Rock Star. If you haven't seen it yet you are a culture-less barbaric dimwit.
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Frank J.

Yelp
I've eaten here many times and the BBQ is pretty tasty considering you are in Seattle and not Texas. Reasonably priced (for Seattle) and generous portions. There are a few really good lunch options in the area and this is one of them.
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Michelle B.

Yelp
It was a decent lunch. I had the pulled pork with potato salad. The mild barbecue sauce had a little heat to it, but not too spicy. Potato salad was tasty. I didn't taste a lot of smoked flavor in the meat, but overall, I think it was okay. 3 Stars!
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Steve M.

Yelp
Amazing St. Louis style BBQ with a cool vibe. Amazing food and GREAT people. Right outside of Pioneer Square Station. Make it a must!
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Darwin H.

Yelp
Some of the most tender, flavorful, sixteen hour smoked brisket I have had this side of Texas. Their pulled pork and ribs can be combined with the brisket with a side of baked beans or Cole slaw and a side salad for under $20. Their service is friendly, prompt and downright infectious. The place was started by Chuck, a two time Washington State Barbecue Champion and his excellent tradition is carried on by his son John. Hurry up and get to this authentic "hole in the wall" before Seattle's best kept bbq secret is out for good. Just look for the lines on James Street above Pioneer Square and help yourself to a down home taste you will crave fortnightly.
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Elizabeth L.

Yelp
Delicious brisket lunch! Among limited BBQ options in Seattle (Pinky's, Raney Brothers, Jack's, bitterroot), Chuck's is a clear standout. Per a friend's rec, I got a half brisket, half pulled pork sandwich with lipstick (coleslaw, pickles, and special sauce added directly to the sandwich). The brisket was incredible - not too fatty but juicy, well-smoked. The spicy sauce is delish. Pulled pork could be more tender but also on the lean side ftw. Will be back for their St. Louis pork ribs, served Thursdays/Fridays only. Love their BBQ Do's and Dont's - takes meat seriously as you should. Cozy with limited seating, next door to Il Corvo (perpetually packed/rushed). Laidback vibe, reasonable prices ftw. The team at Chuck's love their work - stop by for some mean BBQ.
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Peter K.

Yelp
Don't let the location fool you this place has some of the best brisket I have ever had. I advise you get it to go as seating is very limited. Prices are good and staff is friendly
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Douglas D.

Yelp
Its taken me 7 years of living in seattle, but I've finally found a place I can call home. Originally from texas, I hold bbq as a very special memory. The smell of burning mesquite chips, a pile of coals turning ash white, the fire burns as my heart churns. What's so special? simplicity. Great quality served with great service. Its a very small restaurant with limited seating, and that's okay. Strike a conversation and meet someone new. Most of us have memories with food we can all share and enjoy. When you had that first bite, or got home and didn't care how cold it was. Maybe you met someone special, maybe this bbq brings someone special to you! I digress, this food just takes me down that ethereal memory lane. Its that good! The hole pile is perfection. You get brisket or choice of meat, beans and sauce over cornbread. As you make your way through each savory bite, all those juices are just soaking up in the cornbread. It has always filled me up. These peeps really care about the food they serve, and it shines! finally, a place I can call home. Ps. get there at 11 and ring that bell like you mean it!
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William T.

Yelp
Come here for my bbq fix when I'm in the area. Working downtown it's hard to find a good BBQ place with good prices, but Chuck's BBQ hits the spot. Line isn't usually long to order, sometimes on Friday it can get hectic because that's when their RIBS are served! (definitely would check them out). It really is what the name says; a hole in the wall. Not much seating to eat, so order with the intent to go. I usually order their brisket sandwich, which has some delicious fatty briskets. They also make a mean chilli, if your big on chilli, order it to spice up your meal!
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Dino T.

Yelp
At long last, I've found a TRUE, REAL, smoked B.B.Q. joint!! The 'pitmaster' is without a doubt, one the finest smoker of BBQ I've ever had the pleasure of tasting. The brisket is, outrageous! How have I not known about this place until now? Let me tell you, I am the 'pickiest' as it gets when it comes to eating BBQ. Just grab some friends and family and head there now!!
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David B.

Yelp
Date of service: Dec 11, 2014 Meal: Lunch, Eat in All Ratings out of 10: Quality of food: 8 Food to Spend Value: 7 Quality of Service: 8 Overall Rating: 8 As I have stated in other reviews, finding good BBQ in the Pacific NW is about as easy as plucking a hair from a hungry tiger's butt. Well maybe I haven't used those words verbatim, but you get the idea. I have lost track of the number of sheer disappointments I have experienced since leaving the BBQ mecca known as the Lone Star State, and I have had many more of those disappointments here in the Puget Sound area. To find a place that actually understands BBQ and happens to be close to my office downtown is almost like plucking hairs from 2 tigers....well, let's get on to the review! What I order is based on when I go, as the availability of some items changes during the week. I like to go later in the week (Thursday or Friday) because they have St. Louis Style ribs, and that is what I ordered on this day. You can get a 1/3 rack or 1/2 rack, but you may as well jones up for the 1/2. I always get the beans as my side as they are simply delicious, with a great smoky flavor that I cannot get enough of. The ribs are also quite good. They are tender, juicy, and the dry rub is great on them. I also love the BBQ sauce here, and you can buy it by the bottle (which I do for home 'Q'ing). The sauce itself is mild, but you can ask for it spicy on your meat, which really spikes the heat up nicely without robbing the flavor. The sauce also complements the meat nicely so you know they aren't trying to cover mediocre BBQ with sauce, which is what many bad BBQ places do. If I go earlier in the week, then what I order really depends on what I am in the mood for. The pulled pork is very consistent and on par with pulled pork in Texas. The brisket I have found to be inconsistent, though when it is on it is quite good. They do meatloaf on Mondays, and you haven't experienced meatloaf until you have had this. I will many times add a side spike to my meal if I am hungry enough, and boy is it good. For the uninitiated, this is their spicy sausage links, and you should do yourself a favor and get some. The place is small, quite akin to its name, but the service is fast and friendly. I also find that, even when every seat is taken and the line is long, I am typically able to find a seat for myself and whoever I am with. I don't recommend going with more than a group of 3 if you plan on eating in, though, as it may be impossible to sit together. They cater very well to "To Go" orders, which many people take advantage of. Hole in the Wall is a gem for Seattle. It isn't the best BBQ I have ever had, but it is pretty close to the best I have had in the Seattle area. When I am not traveling for work I make it a weekly destination, and the owners recognize me when I come in, making it feel homey as well. The prices are reasonable and the quality is high, so if you are hankering for some decent BBQ in the Puget Sound area, you should stop looking for tigers to pluck and head on over to Hole in the Wall.