I visited Pop’s on Friday night while visiting from out of town. I had the burnt ends sandwich with Mac n cheese and everything was 10/10. The root beer BBQ sauce was my favorite! The service was great and loved the overall feel of this place. Will be back again next time I’m in Iowa City!
Ive eaten BBQ all over the nation and I had high hopes based on yelp pics & reviews. Asked for recommendations from the employee and had a half slab of ribs, brisket sandwich, pit beans, & cornbread. Both the brisket and ribs were very similar in flavor and were average at best. Ribs were over cooked and mushy. I would have added some more brown sugar in the rib rub. The brisket was grey and had no real smoke ring. It was tender but the flavor was bland. Pit beans were okay. Cornbread was moist but didn't have any of what I look for in a great cornbread. No crusty edges, no corn in the cornbread, and would benefit greatly from some honey butter. I had a side of both classic & root beer sauce. The Root beer sauce was pretty good. I also bought a giant brownie stuffed chocolate chip cookie from "oh high" bakery. It was the most disappointing part of the meal.
Awesome ribs here. As a bit of a pit master myself, I can say the barbecue here is really good. It's even better than the BBQ joints I've tried down in Tennessee. Was not expecting such a gem in Iowa city!
Atmosphere was good place was clean waitress was very nice. The sauce was the best part of the place got burgers they were very dry nice flavor though. The Mac and cheese was soupy and bland. They are pricey for the quality of food they give.
They have the best potato salad I've ever had, in my life, and I love their pulled pork sandwich with the bourbon bbq sauce! It's a good size sandwich and it hits the spot! Super fast service, too, might I add, and reasonably priced. ?
This is legit bbq. Great atmosphere. Friendly staff. And amazing food.
To start atmosphere is super chill. The guy at the counter was very helpful and answered all our questions…..now this food…mac n cheese 10/10 house cut fries 10/10 perfectly crispy! I had the rib tips they were sooo good… tender and juicy not too fatty seasoned and smoked just right don’t even need sauce they offered! Had a few different sauces we tried all were very good but the meat is so good it doesn’t even need it! Definitely will be back again!
I had rib tips and brisket poppers. Forgot to take a pic until I was half done. The poppers are huge jalapeños wrapped in bacon w brisket and cream cheese. A good way to work up a sweat. But rib tips are my favorite and pops has the best in IC. Dubuque and market. And Thk u to the busy server who brought me a refill on orange pop.
By far the BEST brisket I’ve ever had!!! So tender & moist no need for a knife. The blackberry habanero sauce is awesome. Beans & cornbread… really no comparison. I think I’ve found a new favorite restaurant!!!
delicious and staff were friendly the sauce is wonderful! so is the meat!!