Reds True BBQ Manchester Review

Reds True BBQ Interior

Since its opening in Manchester’s Albert Square in 2014, I have visited Red’s True BBQ about 5 or 6 times, the most recent visit being last Sunday, 01/05/2016. Each time I have enjoyed the food but my enjoyment was slightly less this last visit, I am not sure why, because the food was still very good, perhaps it is just the novelty is wearing off? or maybe it is because I didn’t have the ribs or wings like I usually do? but as we had just popped in for lunch and the prices seemed a little more expensive for these items, I chose a sandwich.

I imagine most restaurant lovers have visited Reds True BBQ by now but for those who haven’t I’ll give a brief overview. Situated in what used to be Livebait on the corner of Albert Square, Southmill Street and Lloyd Street, Reds True BBQ pays homage to the smoke house BBQ pits of the southern states of the United States. The interior is what you might expect to find in a spit n’ sawdust restaurant in Texas; you can literally smell the smoke coming from the huge BBQ grills as soon as you enter.

There was a time when you could only book for parties of 8 or more, any less and you had to wait for a table, sometimes for up to a couple of hours. Thankfully, the booking process has now changed so that anybody can book, regardless of party size. Amen

My friend enjoying the chicken wings at Reds True BBQ January 2015

The food at Reds is some of the best BBQ food you will find outside of the United States. I usually choose ribs and chicken wings but on the last visit I opted for the Pitmaster sandwich – USDA approved, black angus brisket, cheese and jalapeno smoked sausage Reds pulled pork, frickles, buttermilk slaw, South Carolina BBQ sauce and sliced fresh jalapeno. The sandwich was packed with meat and deliciously tasty sauce, a real mouthwatering sandwich. There was no way I was picking this up to bite it, I had to use a knife and fork it was that big. My only complaint would be that the meat was cold. I did point this out to our waiter afterwards and he told me it should be that way because it is a sandwich, not a burger. I am not sure if this is the case but if so, perhaps it should be mentioned on the menu.

The Pitmaster Sandwich and Skin On Fries

My girlfriend originally wanted the Chicken and Waffles that she has had on previous visits but when we asked the waiter, he told us that is no longer on the menu as it was a special. Again, I am not sure if this is accurate as she has had a that dish a couple of times and it was always in the regular main menu, not on a specials board. Instead she chose the Dirty Buffalo Chicken Sandwich – Southern fried chicken breast, pulled smoked chicken, pickleback salted candied bacon, Buffalo sauce, South Carolina BBQ sauce, slaw and ranch dressing in a pretzel bun. She asked for it without the pulled chicken and it came on a regular bun as they had run out of pretzel buns so it wasn’t exactly as described but it was still a very nice sandwich and my girlfriend enjoyed it although not quite as much as the chicken and waffles. This sandwich was warm, making what the waiter said about my sandwich seem somewhat inaccurate.

Dirty Buffalo Chicken Sandwich

For sides we had skin on fries and onion rings that were the size of car tires, both very nice. Drinks are little pricey at £3.00 for a pint of Pepsi, the price would be acceptable if the glass wasn’t rammed full of ice, removal of which left barely half a pint.

Looking through the menu, it does seem like the prices have increased since our last visit in October last year. On that visit, I shared a bucket of bones, with the girlfriends dad, I can’t remember the exact price but I know for certain it wasn’t £34.95 which is what the current price is. I have read other reviews which say similar.

Read Andy M’s 2 star report on Trip Advisor

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g187069-d6260392-r332816177-Red_s_True_Barbecue_Manchester-Manchester_Greater_Manchester_England.html

Reds currently have restaurants in Manchester, Headingley, Nottingham, Sheffield, Shoreditch, Leeds and Liverpool, all serving food and selling merchandise, sauces, rubs, t-shirts, glasses etc. Red’s are also planning to open 20 more restaurants over the next 4 or 5 and they currently have deal with Asda to stock all of their sauces and rubs. They must be making an absolute fortune and I really cannot see a need for such a big price increase, unless costs have increased astronomically? I am sure this will be the explanation from Reds True BBQ.

I really do like Reds True BBQ, the food is delicious, the staff are friendly and helpful and there is a good atmosphere but the price increases have made eating here just a little bit too expensive as far as I am concerned. BBQ food and burger joints shouldn’t really need to be reserved for special occasions but in the case of Reds True BBQ, the prices make this necessary.