This is the BEST BBQ spot in Tahoe! Don (owner) is amazing and extremely hospitable. Chefs Corey and Armando put it down! Everything on menu is great, you can't go wrong. Save yourself the time looking and hit up Chicken in a Barrel BBQ!!
We eat here whenever we visit the Lake! This is some of the best Q you can get. I've eaten at the original in Kauai Hawaii several times and it it amazing! Aloha!!
I had Chicken in a Barrel in Kauai 9 years ago and loved it! So I was surprised to see it in South Lake Tahoe and knew I had to have it again. The best part, the ¼ chicken lived up to my memory. Staff was very friendly and I had fast service despite them looking short staffed. A great hole in the wall kind of place. Don't expect anything from the building or indoor seating, but the food is delicious and well worth the stop. As pictured, I did take out and drove over to Pope Beach for a great dinner on the beach ?
Found this place in Hawaii, the South Shore location is just as good with the same vibe. As the name suggests, they have smoking barrels set up outside with all their meat that you can smell as you pull up. Customer service is fast and friendly, and they have plenty of tables set up outside and a few inside.You really can't go wrong with any of their food, but personally I think the chicken is best. All their meats have a deep but not overpowering smoke, and are well seasoned throughout. You don't really need the BBQ sauces they offer, but the sauces are also fantastic. Always happy to go back!
Every single part of our experience was amazing. The food was delicious and perfect. The service was spot on. We had to postpone our wedding due to the fires last September and Don and Rebekah were accommodating and professional. Their personal touches were so welcomed. We cannot wait to come back and see them again. Highly recommended.
This place is impressive! I was most fascinated with the smoking barrels outside. ?The chicken was also delicious and so were the ribs, but I can’t give it 5 stars because of the price. I know it can’t be helped because of inflation and Lake Tahoe prices in general…but it’s worth at least trying it once. Although (full disclosure) for some reason my husband and I were super gassy after this meal. Does smoked meat cause gas?? Is it the elevation? lol ?I’m not sure. Regardless, I recommend trying it at least once! Also I’m not sure if you can substitute the chili side order. If you can, I’d go for the macaroni salad or cornbread, if possible. Also the bathrooms were nice and clean, which I always appreciate. Thanks Chicken in a Barrel!
Small. Menu was different from what I expected. Chili was amazing. I would definitely have that again any day. Would definitely recommend. Want to try it on fries (chili cheese fries) next time I'm in town.BBQ wasn't bad at all. Jucy and well seasoned. However, I loke more traditional sides with my BBQ (baked beans, potato salad, macaroni salad or garden salad). Not to say their sides aren't great, but I simply prefer those other options. For that reason alone, I would order chili or chili cheese fries from here instead of BBQ unless my sides came from somewhere else.This place is worth trying for anyone new. The food is definitely tasty...all of it.
Being that the reviews of this place were good, locals recommended it, and that it is a mom and pop(which generally put a lot more love into their food) I was expecting this place to be awesome. I was thoroughly disappointed. I really hope it was just a bad night. I'll start with the highlights.1. Legitimate vertical "barrel" smokers outside2. Chicken was tender and juicy (that's why I am giving it 2 stars, not one)3. Prices reasonable (BBQ is always on the high side because of the amount of time that goes into it so I expected the prices to not be bottom dollar, but definitely were not high for the area)4. Macaroni salad was Hawaiian style, not sweet which I like, though could have used a little salt.Now the things I did not like:1. ribs were dry, either way overcooked or leftovers2. Chicken and ribs were way too smokey (I love a lot of smoke, especially mesquite smoke normally). This tastes like they injected the meat with liquid smoke. Gross.3. Corn bread was nothing special, just dry 40¢/box jiffy that I grew up on.4. Chilli we as bland run of the mill5. Brownie tasted like Ghirardelli brownie mix from Costco (which I like) but way too dry.I really hope this place can turn it around.
Food was awesomely delicious. I ordered the sampler plate, Rib, chicken and pulled pork. Chicken was juicy and not smokey. Rib was good, yes only 1 rib, pulled pork was good. My kid wanted a burger but they said it was going to be a 45min wait for that, not sure what that was about so we got a burger from somewhere else.i love that they show you your order and make sure it's all good before you leave. I would definitely go back.
We love this place as it's right down the street from our house.Everyone wants BBQ to be cheaper but there is a huge cost to cooking food this way, and you typically can't save leftover BBQ to sell the next day.I digress though, the chicken is what brings us back. I know, chicken, the meat you make 3 times a week at home. But it really is the best, I'm thinking about it now! The beef is good too, the ribs can be hit and miss, but overall we love this spot.