McWhorter Barbecue

Looks very unassuming from the outside, but nice and inviting vibes inside. Delicious food. SPEEDY service. Full meal was definitely enough for 2 people to split. Fries were so good that we ordered extra! They also have Mexican soda in the bottle which is always a plus. Tip: cash only. No card.

Parking on Weds/Thurs is atrocious as its no parking between 12-4. Theres metered parking but a 5 minute walk. Cash ONLY! There is an ATM. Pretty standard BBQ menu. Chicken was juicy and flavorful. Beef ribs were good, just thick cut. Portions are HUGE! 2-3 people with average appetite can enjoy the WHOLE size. Massive RICE! The fried potatoes were actually better than the french fries.

OMG the Rice is addictive you can stop to eat. The Tres Leche is so delicious. Don't accept credit card is Was a little problem for me but not a big issue if just important tip.

I love this place! 10/10🤍 No one talks about the pichana, in my opinion that’s the best! And you can’t beat the prices!

You know the food is good if it’s always crowded. I love the quarter chicken with rice and beans for $10.00 believe me that right there feed hubby niece and myself NO JOKE. I loves me some McWhorter Barbecue

4/27/23 Finally back for another meal. Excellent, As always and since the Devils moved to Newark, I've eaten here. The remodel of the restaurant looks great. It was a good to get back for another meal. Chicken breast with rice and fries. For dessert I had the tres leches, it was good! Prices reasonable. Note to self: They have beer on tap...

Reasonably priced food that is very good. We had dinner here on Thursday evening based on the Google reviews. It’s a cool local place that is cash only with a very friendly staff and good food. I had the pork chops with fries. The chops were over cooked but still good and the fries were perfect. The beef cubes had an interesting sauce on them and were very tasty.

The food was good, and the waitress was nice, but I think that even though the business is mostly take out, they can do a little better with the place. The place looks like it needs a clean-up, a paint job, and an update.

This place is so delicious! It smells so good with the grill cooking all the meats. They have amazing prices for the portion of food you get and very fresh! The staff is very kind and accommodating we went for lunch table of 5 and it was readily available. The location of this place is it's only downfall since parking can be rough :/ But overall very good and solid lunch spot!!

Great food, friendly service and nice portions for the price. Simple meats cooked over open flame directly in front of you. BYOB a great stop before or after a visit to Prudential Center.

Food was great. Ordered a few bbq chicken and ribs trays. Lots of food! Everything was good and not over cooked.

Ordered a pickup. 1/2 Fried Chicken with the Rice & French Fries. They accept Zelle NO Apple Pay. Food was delicious & for $10 NO Complaints I will return here, great selections in their menu. This is the best local BBQ, Big portions, inexpensive Meal!

Everything I ate was good. The French fries were outstanding. I would choose them over the roasted potatoes. I wouldn't recommend the sausage in wine sauce because it just tasted like sausage sitting in wine...too much wine not enough sauce. The sausage itself was tasty. Be sure to ask exactly what kind of steak you are ordering (sirloin, cheesesteak, flank) so you are not surprised when it arrives. I got a steak sandwich and the roll was a delicious wrapper on the sandwich. I also had the beef ribs, which I highly recommend. The staff was friendly and attentive. My one real complaint is that there is no separation between the grill and the dining area, so it got a little smoky at times. Overall, though, I would recommend this place when in the area.

Great food Great service Love this place. My favorite go to for BBQ and they have the BEST roasted potatoes I've ever had. Nice and Crispy on the outside and Creamy inside!!

It's inexpensive & BYOB. Awesome food & good service. Owner is down to earth. What more can you want.

Food was delicious and fresh, it's a local spot and has been there since as far back as I can remember. Nice little sitting area which is separated from where pock up orders are received. Friendly service.

McWhorter BBQ is the epitome of simple done right. No 30 ingredient rubs. .. just simple meat, seasoning, and rendered fat sizzling over hot coals to create flavorful smoke. The aroma in this place is intoxicating. Many BBQ spots serve overcooked chicken that's been drying out in a warmer. McWhorter is a busy busy place. This allows them to serve hot juicy chicken from open to close. The beef ribs are solid and while the BBQ sauce isn't necessary. ..but could be better. I spent nearly a year in Newark with this place on heavy rotation for good reason. ..the pork ribs. The pork ribs are definitely the way to go. Cooked relatively quickly, yet somehow tender with perfect char. This isn't low and slow BBQ. Not the fanciest restaurant, but the best places usually aren't. Can't beat these prices either for the quality or quantity. I really wish we had something comparable in Chicago.

I will be keeping this review short and sweet because I know anyone who has eaten at this restaurant knows how delicious their food is. I always get the short ribs and chicken combo meal with rice and French fries. Their quality control is always on point and the service is as well. Staff if friendly and fast with whatever you order. I even really like their Spanish coffee too. Short rib and chicken are always delicious and juicy with just the right amount of seasoning. I recommend this place to anyone craving some delicious Portuguese food. Ambiance is fine, nothing fancy inside but that doesn't matter because of how tasty their food is. I will always eat here every chance I get, I recommend this place to everyone. I will be back soon!

Ate here for lunch before a 4pm New Jersey Devils game on a Sunday. Was greeted at the door by the cashier & was immediately seated. The dining area was packed & few people were waiting for pick-up orders- looked like a great sign that the food was fresh. There were a few tables of hockey fans eating before the game, looked like a few tables of people eating after going to church (dressed very nicely) and a few casual diners. ordered: Fried banana for an appetizer Steak with peppers & onions (came with fries & yellow rice) My friend ordered the steak & eggs (came with fries & yellow rice) Huge, delicious portions!

Great food to take home. Restaurant and dining area is in need of repair. Tables are broken, very hot in the summer and uncomfortable sitting arrangements. Owner should upgrade this place.

My friends and I were looking for a place to grab lunch while staying in Newark. After a quick search on that good good Yelp app, we decided to go to McWhorter's BBQ, a local churrascaria (Brazilian BBQ) in the area; furthermore, we were all very satisfied with our lunch. Unlike most churrascarias, this one doesn't serve their meat rodízio style (all you can eat); however, when you order, your food comes out in huge portions, so it's not a big deal. I got a full order of the pechuga empanizada (breaded chicken breast) and there was so much food, that I had enough for lunch, dinner, and then lunch again the next day. With all that fried chicken, rice, and french fries, it was a good thing I didn't come here on a keto diet, haha, but there is an option to sub out the fries and rice with a soup or side salad, and there are various grilled meats for those who are being more health-conscious, but I digress. Overall, the food was just bomb. There are some things to be aware of when dining here. The dining area is a tight space, it's doable, but I prefer roomier spaces when I'm trying to eat. They're a cash-only establishment so make sure you stop at an ATM before coming here (or pay the fee at the one they have on-site). Last but certainly not least, if you ask for water, they'll bring you bottled water and charge you for it, which is the bane of my existence, because it's not hard to tell patrons that water isn't free when they order it. Other than that though, the service was very friendly, and I recommend McWhorter's BBQ as a pretty decent place to grab lunch in Newark.

3.75 I've only had McWhorter a few times even though they are a staple down neck. Ate inside for the first time the other day and decided it was time I leave a review. They get very busy at lunch just so you know. The fact they are always busy with tables and takeout assures you get fresh food. We had the Spanish chorizo appetizer which has a nice taste of the red wine. We also had a chicken and beef rib combo. Fresh and delicious. Their prices have gone up a bit, but they are still reasonably priced compared to some other places. If you are in the area I would highly recommend for a casual lunch. ENJOY!!!

There are many barbecue options in the Ironbound area and I have been to a few but this has to be one of my favorites now! I ordered the half order of grilled chicken breast with rice and a side salad. When I arrived to order takeout there was a long wait for the people who wanted to dine in but there was also a long wait for people who were getting food to take out. I waited about 15 to 20 minutes for my order but it was well worth it. When I first bit into the chicken it was the juiciest chicken breast I have ever had! They are very generous with their portions and the price of my order was only $7! You cannot beat the price and the quality of food. You can see them cooking the meats in an Open pit, which I love. The staff members are friendly and work quickly so it's best to know what you want to order before you get in there. I can easily see myself being a regular here!

Not bad at all. Really good tasting chicken, they serve amazing proportions for the cheap price. The place is cash only. It is clean, organized, and very busy during lunch time. The great thing about is that it seems to be a very local place for all sorts of law enforcement to eat at. Seems like everyone has a gun on their waist lol. Makes you feel safe. The reason why that is great though is that cops love to eat and they like to eat well. So if they flock to this place it's because it is good and clean. I order half chicken with rice and French fries. Only thing that sucks is that the garlic spice dressing usually includes in Brazil bbq is not included you have to pay like 50cents or a dollar more I think. Not a big deal but would be nice to have that included. Other than that, I'm very impressed by everything at this place. Overall score: 4.1 Food: 4.1 Price: 4.1 Atmosphere: 4.1

Was looking for a local bbq place I haven't been to. Found McWhorter BBQ on Yelp. They had pretty good reviews so I decided to give them a chance. I'm not disappointed. I went with the beef ribs, rice and veggies. The yellow rice and veggies was just what it was. It tasted good. The ribs were just a bit tough but very flavorful. The highlight was the bbq sauce on the side on the ribs. Not bad meal for $13.00 bucks. I probably will return if not go buy a pack of beef ribs and put them on the grill myself. Lol

This is the best bbq spot in Newark of which I know. Better than Ferry st Bbq and Market St Bbq. The meat here is more succulent and well cooked. The only thing I wish they did differently is their sauces. It's much better to have homemade or bottled sauces than sauce packets. Combo of chicken and pork ribs with fries and salad costs $18. Make sure to pay in cash to get the best deal.

I've been ordering from here for the past few years, today I call to order and to my dismay was told they do not deliver to my area. Mind you I live downtown Newark across from City hall so it's not a bad area. I'm totally annoyed

Quick, Fast, Cheap Go to BBQ spot in Newark Great, and friendly staff! Food was amazing!

The food is excellent I eat here once to twice every week very professional staff extremely nice the fact they take all forms of payment is the best.

Great food for a great price. I've been coming here for years. Bets BBQ in NJ!!!!!!!!

Very good service really clean dinning area and the takeout was great and was close to my old house

This is my favorite churasco restaurant in Newark. Great prices, big portions. My favorite is the grilled chicken breast with fries and salad. First came here 10 years ago recommended by one of my coworkers. Enjoyed the place so much we ordered there at least three times a week. But for a few years I was working out of Manhattan and Hoboken so I haven't been back until a few weeks ago. I'm glad they are still around and the food still just as good as my first visit. Will be there again soon. Happy eating!

The best Northern style BBQ in NJ is found..... this is the place to go in Newark whenever you crave some BBQ. It's phenomenal, but not like the southern style BBY from NC Seriously. I have eaten both styles of BBQ and both are good but in my opinion Southern style is the best BBQ in the US.

This place has no parking, but the food is incredible. There are two styles of ordering food at this restaurant. You can order a single entree for a person, or you can order your food in large quantities for a group. The food was outstanding. To be honest, I'm not really sure what I ordered. I got the pork steak...whatever that is exactly. It's was amazing! The grill is inside, and they slow cook it over hot coals. So, you will leave smelling like the food, but that is not really a bad thing. The place smells amazing as soon as you walk in. The dining is very tight spaced, so that makes getting around a little difficult. Also, the interior and exterior could use a little updating, especially the bathrooms. However, it has a good divey feel to it. I would definitely recommend this as a good meal option if you are the Jersey City area.

Their chicken and ribs are roasted, on a spit, over charcoal so you'll definitely taste a natural smokiness but overall their flavor is decent not spectacular. Let's just say no one is going to drop their panties off anytime soon. I was hoping for more flavor, like some garlicky chicken with a nice sauce that goes along with but the only thing that came along with my protein was rice, salad or fries. Price wise, it's reasonable and space wise, it's good and can seat a lot of people. Though with the restaurant lacking natural lights inside, it just made kinda divey.

I had the BBQ here a long time ago and had it again today. Still seemed just as good....I got the half BBQ chicken platter and was very pleased. The chicken: was very moist and had a great BBQ flavor and the portion was large. The fries: very good..... and they were salty which I like. The rice: it comes with yellow rice which was pretty good.... nice flavor and done right. The pickled vegetables : vinegary with a nice kick to them. A coworker of mine got the robs which he enjoyed and looked huge. I couldn't finish the food I got and it was only $7 so the value was good too. Will definitely try them again if I am in the area.

Unfortunately, this place is *Cash Only*, but on the bright side, there is an ATM on premises & the ATM surcharge is just $2.09.

A great local spot in NJ. You can smell the food as soon as you step into the place. My husband and I dined in. The staff were very friendly and polite. I ordered the ribs with yellow rice and fries. The food was so good and the portions were HUGE. Definitely enough for two meals and we ended up taking half of our food home to enjoy. It came out to under $40 for the two of us. I will definitely visit again.

Food was amazing! Very tender and flavorful. Prices are cheap for the portion sizes. Just make sure you have cash. There's an ATM inside if you forget. Only downside was it was hot eating inside. No AC.

Best BBQ place in Newark for ribs ( chicken is not that great). You know how good this love is when locals specially police/and city hall employees go there to eat. Right now they have limited seating ( be alive only 2 or 3 tables).

Best chicken and ribs plus the sirloin steak were outstanding. Sucks its only cash only or venmo/zelle.

PROS A) BBQ Chicken is Flavorful B) BBQ Beef Ribs are Flavorful C) BBQ Top Sirloins are Flavorful D) Grilled Shrimps are Good E) Roasted Potatoes are Flavorful F) Yellow Rice has Flavor and it's not UnderCooked. CONS A) The Beef Cubes (Picadillo de Carne) has TOO Much Vinegar.... B) The Garlic Sauce should NOT have a Shrimp (Seafood) Taste. Just Create a Simple Garlic Sauce that can be Used for Anything. Please Please Make it....:)

A little bit more off the beaten path away from the train station, but it was worth the walk. They are consistently cheaper than some of their key competitions on Ferry Street, while portion is generally the same. Basically, expect a ton of food that will put you in a coma until happy hour come around~ I got the pork ribs and I was pretty happy with the flavor. Texture was slightly drier than expected, but it may have been caused by the fact that I took it to go. Saw plenty of tables setup there, so would definitely consider eating in house next time.

If you're in the mood for some meat, this place is so clutch. It's a Portuguese bbq spot that's cash only with amazing prices where you could probably feed a group of 4 big appetites for around $20. I dig variety, so I like the platter with everything on it. My favorites are the beef ribs, pork chops, and chicken. Even their rice and fries are dangerous because they're so bomb. You can ask for bbq sauce, but I prefer to drizzle hot sauce on everything. Service is okay though; sometimes I have to call for the server's attention because it's usually so busy there. TVs are always playing soccer. Takeout comes in handy because I live so close by. This is my favorite bbq spot in the Ironbound.

Took a buddy's recommendation and came here. Got 3 orders to go with ribs, chicken and steak for a family of 3. Was surprised to see that each order came in a large aluminum tray. One of those trays fed the 3 of us. It was insane. Not only were the portions phenomenal, the food was delicious. The meat was seasoned well. It was a very tasty and satisfying meal. Will make the trip again just to eat this food. Highly recommended.

Stopped here for lunch on a Tuesday afternoon.. If you come during busy lunch hours, be prepared to drive around for a while to find a place to park. Once you do find a place, your disgruntled attitude will soon change to a happy smile! Upon entering, you'll instantly be morphed into a NYC feeling. The smell of BBQ will line your nostril cavities and those hunger pains that brought you in for lunch will triple. Seat yourself, and be ready to order. This place specializes in three items: Chicken, Steak, and Pork - with a couple fish items as well. As this place has 100's of reviews, not sure what else can be said that hasn't been said before. For lunch, I ordered their 1/2 Grilled Chicken Breast, served with a gigantic serving of yellow rice and a gigantic serving of French Fries (you can also sub a side salad). Perfectly grilled and marinated to perfection! Rice was fluffy and piping hot and the Fries were on point! For $7.00, you can't go wrong. You also get a drink, which is included in your meal. If you leave here either hungry or disappointed, there's something wrong with you. Fast, friendly service. Cash only. Take out seems to be very popular and this place gets busy - like I mentioned earlier. I can't wait to be back!! Highly recommended!

One of my favorite bbq spots! I usually get there bbq chicken, with rice, fries, and a salad. Their chicken is good, I think they season it very well! I also love their crunchy fries, and their rice. The rice could be a tad bit salty but I do enjoy it regardless. The environment is casual, and the food comes out very quickly if you're looking for a quick meal. Pricing: Super affordable! Half a chicken with rice, fries, and a salad is $12 (this feeds two people)!

Here lies the land of Portuguese BBQ, at least in Nj. Therefore competition is key to running a successful and tasty product. This place failed in so many ways. Chicken was dry and lacking flavor, however ribs were acceptable. To be honest, Portuguese BBQ will always be inferior to the southern style of grilling. But this place is equipped enough to make something better. Let's talk about the vegetables. Why use frozen or canned vegetables. Cheaply cutting corners is not a good idea when in either direction another BBQ resides. Fried banana: it was okay, I just was not expecting a real banana. Sweet plantain? Maybe that's too pricy, another cost cut I guess. Yes it's cheap and a lot of food. However all the BBQ spots in the area are- so why not go to the best one... FERRY BBQ... Even South BBQ is better than this place.

Great barbecue and affordable! Service was quick for takeout and I didn't order in advance.

My affair with Mcwhorter BBQ started like a year back and since we have been going strong and steady. This place is my goto place for authentic Portuguese food. It is located conveniently few blocks from the train station. The menu is not huge but has all almost all the staple Portuguese fare. I have tried a number of things here but my favorite is BBQ chicken which is made right in front of your eyes. So fresh, tender and is absolutely delicious. One can opt for half chicken which comes for $6 bucks and gets you a side of rice , beans and fries. Trust me the portion are really big, if one can finish it they will fill up their with a lot of tasty food. They serve complimentary bread with butter before serving food which is nice. The servers are really attentive. Overall an awesome Portuguese joint in my book. FYI- It is cash only!

What a gem, nestled deep within the old cozy Newark suburb of ironbound. Very homey feel, seems like its a place that is made up of all regulars who come exclusively for the fantastic Portuguese bbq, as there is really nothing nearby in this sleepy little suburb block. The portions are huge. The chicken and ribs were expertly prepared, best of all the Portuguese chicken and rib joints I've experienced in Essex county, but this is no fast food joint, its a old bar converted to a restaurant probably thirty years back. The prices. I can't say enough of how reasonable this place is. I ordered a 1/2 chicken and ribs combo platter for $12, thinking that I'd have some leftovers but proved to be enough for two hungry men. The chicken and ribs were rotated by hand on a well ventilated coal fire, regularly basted by the chef who graciously allowed me to take his picture in action. The platter was accompanied by shoestring potato fries and tender spanish rice. Going to Mc Whorters convinced me that I want to move to Ironbound; fantastic food, the best transportation hub in the state with 24hr access to NYC, AND the best food I've had in the state...all the negative attitudes regarding Newark that I've seen here on Yelp and in my 9 years living here are way off base, racially motivated and should be ignored. Sure, there's people struggling here in Newark, they may not look like you, but Newark can't be written off. In my opinion, Newark will be the equivalent of the reinventing of Brooklyn waterfront in twenty years.

This is the best value in food, nothing less. I always order the picadillo de vaca, or beef cubes, here. I'm an Ironbound local and I can say that this dish is nothing short of incredible. The dish is flavorful and the following cannot be overstated...they give you the most food you've ever gotten for $8 bucks, seriously their half-platter is enough to last me two meals which amounts to $4 a meal. Find me better value in food...go ahead...try.

McWhoters is one of those special places that you usually know what you are getting before you get there! They have an open rotisserie pit where they grill the different meats over. The guy actually sits there turning it by hand while he bastes it!! You can order whole or 1/2 portions but let me tell you the 1/2 portions are very generous! They also come with rice and fries! We usually come for lunch as we did the other day. You can get a 1/2 BBQ chicken with rice & fries for under $8! That's insane! I really like their grilled chicken and their fries are awesome! If you want to eat a little lighter you can skip the rice & fries and opt for veggies. They also serve vinegar marinated veggies if you ask for them. They recently remodeled and it looks nice inside. We really enjoy coming here, they have great food, a lot of it, and great prices! Remember they only accept cash.

When I'm in the area and I'm hungry, this is the first place that comes to mind! The only time I change my mind is when I can't get a parking spot . CASH ONLY, so always be prepared for that! My go-to orders are the 'half pork ribs' and 'half beef ribs'. See pics attached - yum!

Food is always fantastic and always plentiful. The service is quick, and it's a great lunch spot. This is one of NJ's hidden gems,a must try.

Can't beat the price! $7.00 for a rib or chicken platter with all the fixings in Newark's safest eatery (total cop hangout, so the guns you see are there to protect you). Staff is always friendly though language may be a minor barrier. The meat is fun to watch revolving over and over again over the shooting flames. Only real negatives: parking can be an issue, but hey, it's Downeck after all and just don't look to closely at the air conditioning units, they haven't been cleaner or serviced in decades.

Great little place to grab a meal. I haven't been in some time, but super-convenient to go in a little early to park before a Devils' game (can usually find street parking right around those blocks if you have a little patience) and have some food. I liked the mixed platter of ribs and chicken that also had the rice, fries, and pickled veggies. Big portions for reasonable prices. Pretty fast service and were always accommodating if I mentioned grabbing the check quick to get out in time for the games.