Stubby's BBQ

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324 reviews

#28 of 224 Restaurants in Hot Springs$$ - $$$, American, Barbecue

+1 501-624-1552+ Add website

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Hours

Sun

11:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Mon

11:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Tue

11:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Wed

11:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Thu

11:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Fri

11:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Sat

11:00 AM - 8:00 PM

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What is Travelers’ Choice?

Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Ratings and reviews

4.0

324 reviews

#28 of 224 Restaurants in Hot Springs

RATINGS

Food

Service

Value

Atmosphere

Details

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CUISINES

American, Barbecue

Meals

Lunch, Dinner

FEATURES

Takeout, Seating, Parking Available, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Accepts Credit Cards, Drive Thru

Location and contact

3024 Central Ave, Hot Springs, AR 71913-6145

+1 501-624-1552

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Is this an American restaurant?

Yes

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About

As seen on TV'S BBQ Crawl, Stubby's BBQ in Hot Springs, Arkansas has been 'Cookin' Q Since '52!. We serve up tasty and delectable BBQ 7 days a week! Enjoy your choice of succulent Barbecue Beef, Pork, Petit Jean Ham, mouth watering Ribs & tender BBQ Chicken. We also serve prime grade brisket every Friday and Saturday night. Home of the Soon-to-be-World-Famous Pot of Beans! Try one of our Hickory smoked potatoes too! We recommend the 'Spudlicious', yes we said Spudlicious Supreme Potato! Enjoy our cafeteria style ordering experience and watch our carver prepare your order as you wait! We hope you happen to save a little room for our Homemade Peach Cobbler too! Don't forget to take home some Stubby's BBQ Sauce! Catering & Gift Certificates available also.

CUISINES

American, Barbecue

Meals

Lunch, Dinner

FEATURES

Takeout, Seating, Parking Available, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Accepts Credit Cards, Drive Thru

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4.0

324 reviews

Excellent

151

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Kira

Lenexa56 contributions

Good BBQ

Jul 2020 • family

Ordered a pulled pork sandwich side of potato salad & this massive loaded bbq baked potato. Pork was very juicy and good flavor, potato salad just like grandma made. The baked potato was like nothing we’d ever had before-awesome. Not a fan of the sauce, too sweet and thick. I admit, I’m very picky with my sauce, nobody can beat KC’s sauce.

Written July 15, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Randy Thompson

Plano374 contributions

Even though out of what I wanted, I gotta give them props on the brisket

Nov 2020 • none

We were burning a few PTO days on a driving trip through Arkansas. I'd done a little research on Trip Advisor on places to eat when staying in Hot Springs, and Stubby's ranked high. Because their dining room is not open, it was drive through only. But I've gotten used to that these days. What I am not used to is driving through a BBQ place for dinner (not late mind you, but around 5:45 PM) and they were out of potatoes, and out of spare ribs. Now, what self respecting BBQ joint runs out of ribs? Ever! Was I happy? No, I was not. So, I had to scramble because there were impatient diners in line behind me. So instead, I got 1/2 lb of brisket (which can be a dangerous move because I am from Texas and they know brisket here!), two orders of their BBQ beans, and some coleslaw. I paid my tab and headed back to the hotel. Only when I got to my room did I find they had NOT included spoons, forks, plates, napkins, NOTHING!!! At this point, I was about to lose it. How do you eat BBQ beans without any utensils. So I called to complain but their line was busy. And busy. And busy. And busy. Now I was pissed off. I icalled downstairs to the lobby and they said they would be more than happy to put a setting together. Which they did. More on the hotel on another post. Angry as I was, after one bite of the brisket I calmed down considerably. I must admit, and it somewhat pains me to say so, but it was by far the best brisket I have ever had. I've been to Hard 8, Coopers, Pecan Lodge, and lots of others. I typically avoid the brisket because, for me at least, it comes out too dry. But this was so moist, so well seasoned, and so flavorful that I just might have to drive back out to Stubby's again just to be sure it wasn't a fluke. It really was that good. Also, their BBQ beans were outstanding, as was the coleslaw. In all, big thumbs up on the final product, but thumbs three-quarter down because the experience, well, it sucked. I am willing to give a Covid pass this time, but if you take out, and you need something to eat your stuff with, you need to ask.

Written November 27, 2020

Philip B

Allen25 contributions

Another Delicious

Oct 2021 • none

We felt welcomed and enjoyed our meal. My wife had a ham platter with two sides and I had a sliced beef sandwich with a smoked potato. We were very pleased with our meal for the meats didn’t need sauce to have a good BBQ taste. The sliced beef has a very good smoke ring letting you know it was smoked and not steamed.

Written October 9, 2021

barry c

Bentonville12 contributions

Never again..!!

Jan 2022 • none

My wife and I attempted to have dinner at this supposedly the best bbq in arkansas, after the races on January 22, 2022. What a joke..!! Ribs were dry/burnt and couldn't eat them ..the slaw was watery & too sweet..a total "rip-off"..never again..!!

Written January 24, 2022

don l

Appleton7 contributions

great meaty ribs

Mar 2020 • none

I've been to barbecue joints all across the U.S. and do some of my own. Stubby's is in my top 10 all time. The ribs are meaty, the rub is spot on, and are cooked just right. My wife had the brisket, and said it was great. The sides are simple tasty and generous in portion. Their peach cobbler topped the meal off perfectly. Next time we are in Hot Springs we will be back.

Written March 15, 2020

KDKDKDKD2

Tulsa111 contributions

Stop at the flashing sign with the pig

Mar 2020 • none

We visited on a slow day and got immediate service and outstanding delicious food. We ordered a sample plate to share and still had more food than we could eat together. The sides were okay but the meat was mouthwatering good. Every type of BBQ meat was great which is hard for a pit master to do. We ordered sweet tea as drinks and got great refills. If this review was helpful, please click the helpful icon below. Thanks,

Written March 20, 2020

766ljones

Owensboro143 contributions

Nothing fancy, good food.

Apr 2021 • couples

We enjoyed the food here (brisket, beans, slaw, and peach cobbler). This is a place where you order the food, pay for it, and carry the food to your table. Covid protocols were in place with barriers between the staff and customers. Staff were wearing masks.

Written April 23, 2021

Ernie K

Bozeman111 contributions

Smokey, tender goodness - at a price of course

Nov 2022 • none

If a bit pricey IMHO, the tender and smokey delicious food will make you forget the temporary pain of paying for it. Ribs are divine, the pot-0-beans is unique and deeply tasteful, and the pork is purely wonderful. All sides are very good. Every time I drive through Arkansas I find myself diverting through Hot Springs for the main purpose of eating at Stubby's. Try it, and you'll likely be hooked like I am!

Written December 3, 2022

Sunshine650550

144 contributions

The very best BBQ anywhere

Jul 2020 • none

I first ate at Stubby's many decades ago and every one of my many dozens of visits to Hot Springs has included a meal at Stubby's . Beef and pork bbq sandwiches, chicken, ham, ribs and more, all are delicious beyond description. Be sure and get the Pot of Beans also. My favorite sides are the deviled eggs. The peach pies for desert are unbelievably wonderful.

Written February 3, 2021

dantravelsworld

Portland13 contributions

Not the best BBQ in AR

Sep 2021 • none

Visiting Hot Springs and this place came highly recommended. Supposedly the best BBQ in AR! We got ribs, sliced pork, beans, coleslaw and potato salad. It was nothing special. Sauce was ok, ribs were chewy, sliced pork was watery. Coleslaw and potato salad also just ok. Beans were probably the best part, but as with everything else, just ok. We both agreed Whole Hog is far better than everything we had at Stubby's. As far as the best in the state? No. So many better choices: Whole Hog, Craig's in De Valls Bluff, Penguin Ed's...

Written September 8, 2021

Carol N

6 contributions

Random hours

May 2022 • couples

Wanted to have barbecue near Hot Springs and this was one of the restaurants that was recommended. We called ahead to confirm they would be open for dinner. Got there 45 minutes before closing time but there was no food to be had. Everything was already cleaned up and the staff said the owner told them they could close early. We wouldn’t have been upset had we not specifically called ahead and talked to someone just an hour before to make sure they were going to be open when we arrived.

Written May 21, 2022

Morgan2010

Lebanon2047 contributions

Best ribs I have had in quite a while

Nov 2021 • none

As noted, the ribs were great. The brisket was not far behind, great smoke flavor, juicy without being fatty. I had leftovers the next day and it was just as good as fresh. Pork was the my least favorite, but still good. I had it leftover for breakfast. Their sauce is delicious; I would describe as tangy-sweet. Wish I lived nearby!

Written November 17, 2021

xpurt

Arnold377 contributions

3 Words... Great,Great,Great

Nov 2023 • family

Family vacation (5) of us. We decided to get meat and a side to take back to the condo. Let's start off with the friendliness of the staff. They were all polite, welcoming, informative, and made us feel very welcome. Now the food. We got 1 pound of brisket sliced and 1 pound of pork sliced( it was so tender slicing was a task), and a pint of baked beans. The brisket was amazing, and the pork was even better.. compliments to the pit master!! The beans were great too! The pricing was really good. Next time I'm town we will return. Thanks again for your hospitality and great food.

Written November 12, 2023

Paul M

29 contributions

DELICIOUS

Sep 2021 • couples

The BEST BBQ that I have had in 20 years! You won't be disappointed. I had the sliced brisket with a side of ribs, both perfectly cooked along with the mater relish which was awesome. My wife had the pulled pork sandwich with slaw and beans which were also awesome. Thank you to the chef for the great BBQ. I highly recommend.

Written September 14, 2021

Tom L

Oshkosh306 contributions

Best BBQ in Town!

May 2022 • none

Stopped in our first day in town. Both the brisket and pork were moist and flavorful, very nicely seasoned. Nice smoky sweet sauce. And great sides, foremost among them the potato salad! Very finely chopped potatoes, creamy dressing with no mustard -- really excellent! A unique side was deviled eggs! Never seen them on a BBQ menu before! And everybody behind the counter was super friendly and helpful. Anyway, we loved it so much, we came back and had lunch again on our last day in town!