Saw a sign for Bubbas yesterday next to cuppies and joes on 23rd.
Anyone have info on this place? I assume it's BBQ? I would be happy, the area lacks a quick BBQ spot.

I am a bit skeptical. Seems like the location is too chichi for a barbeque joint.

Yeah there is info in the Uptown 23rd thread under Urban Development, it's been under construction almost all year.

Thanks metro. I'll go dig it up. Just thought it would/could be discussed here since this is the food forum.

Bubba's has been around OKC for awhile (first on NW Expressway, then at 39th and Portland). Family-owned and a solid reputation.

I first enjoyed Bubba's at the OU stadium, then at 39th and Portland. When (and where) was he on the NW Expressway.
Thanks,
C. T.

Bubba's has been around OKC for awhile (first on NW Expressway, then at 39th and Portland). Family-owned and a solid reputation.

Where the Sonic is located between May and Independence, it was a former gas station. I remember David opening up in the mid to late 80's in that location.

Thanks, I don't remember it, but there are a lot of things I don't remember. Actually, my choices for barbecue then were pretty good, so if I didn't hear some pretty good comments, I didn't do a lot of exploring. I think I'm a pretty good (my opinion) judge of barbecue and back then there were some really good places to eat.
C. T.

I pretty much had a rotation, at different times they were open. After I moved back from Dallas in 1993 it was Leo's, Bubba's, Hickory Tree and Oklahoma Station/Jack's for the most part. Most were pretty close to the office at Britton & Broadway or easy to get to at lunch time. All had differing styles of sauces and sides which I like. Many of the places here in Central Texas seem to be clones of each other, I tend to prefer the ones that are a little different, yesterday it was The Salt Lick. I still haven't tried Franklin's yet.

Bluedogok, Hickory Tree? Nobody knows about the Hickory Tree. Except maybe President Clinton. Didn't he go there after the Murrah bombing? Anyway, it was a pretty good place. My rotation included Beasley's, Tom's Oaklawn, Johnson's, Leo's, and Portland with occasional visits to a few others. I discovered Bubba's and Chips later. There is a connection between Oklahoma Station and Jack's and I know Jack (of Jack's on 39th) sold it with a non-compete clause and he opened a diner on about N. W. 50th and Meridian (or was that MacArthur?). When his five year non-compete period was over, he opened Oklahoma Station.
C. T.

I pretty much had a rotation, at different times they were open. After I moved back from Dallas in 1993 it was Leo's, Bubba's, Hickory Tree and Oklahoma Station/Jack's for the most part. Most were pretty close to the office at Britton & Broadway or easy to get to at lunch time. All had differing styles of sauces and sides which I like. Many of the places here in Central Texas seem to be clones of each other, I tend to prefer the ones that are a little different, yesterday it was The Salt Lick. I still haven't tried Franklin's yet.

In Oklahoma Station they had a Gazette article about the restaurant up and there was a mention of the Jack's connection. When there was a Jack's location in what was in the former Long John Silvers by Johnnie's on Britton we used to go there quite often for lunch. Before I moved to Austin I lived in the Mayfair area for a few years so I hit Oklahoma Station and Bubba's quite often.

I was back in town not too long after I moved to Austin (I was doing some contract work for different people), I went up to my old office and some of us went to Hickory Tree for lunch. One time a few years back when we were in town I was going to take my wife there, we pulled up and it was closed. I guess Stillman retired or something.

I made a few phone calls regarding the Bubba's BBQ set to open next to Cuppies & Joe's. The original Bubbas BBQ was sold to Holly's BBQ in 2010, so it is now run by the same people as Holly's, same phone number too. The man that originally opened Bubba's BBQ on NW Expressway is opening at this new location on 23rd. Not sure of date yet.

Permanent sign went up in the last few days

I made a few phone calls regarding the Bubba's BBQ set to open next to Cuppies & Joe's. The original Bubbas BBQ was sold to Holly's BBQ in 2010, so it is now run by the same people as Holly's, same phone number too. The man that originally opened Bubba's BBQ on NW Expressway is opening at this new location on 23rd. Not sure of date yet.
David usually has a few irons in the fire at all times and more than just this restaurant. I guess he wanted to come back to the restaurant business, I know there was a gap between the closing of the NW Expressway location and the opening of the NW 39th & Portland location.

just adding to what metro said: when I drove by Monday, there was an "opening soon" banner up.

Had lunch at Bubba's today. Baked Beans were good, Ribs were a little dry. Prices are what you would expect from a BBQ place. BBQ sauce is unique.

Thank you so much for the update! I live in the area and have been wondering if it was open yet. I hadn't seen anything on Urbanspoon.

Hopefully they will be open around the Christmas holiday when I am back in town.

Bubba's is amazing! If you love BBQ, then you must go to Bubba's on 23rd. Went by the other day and had their BBQ Grilled Cheese. It's completely different as I've never has anything of the sort at a BBQ place. Delicious. Plus they have a flatscreen inside which was perfect to sit and watch a game and get in from the cold weather. Highly recommend.

I've been wanting to try it, I will have to soon. Also there is a Mexican BBQ fusion place on NW 23rd, just east of I-44. Has anyone tried that place?

Where on 23rd is this? It's looking like Friday will be an OKC morning for me so it's time to figure out a lunch plan.

Anyone know if they are going to be open Friday afternoon, Saturday or Monday of Christmas weekend? I may have to swing by while I am in town.

Where on 23rd is this? It's looking like Friday will be an OKC morning for me so it's time to figure out a lunch plan.

Bubba's BBQ
(405) 815-4055
715 NW 23rd St
Oklahoma City, OK 73103

Norths side of the road next to Church's Chicken.

Let us know how it is.

Went by there today with some friends.

We all did the BBQ Grilled Cheese. All but one of us liked it. I thought it was 'good' but not great.

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/5242/screenshot20111208at231.png

The restaurant itself is really nice. They did a good job on the remodel. The place was really clean and the staff was friendly (though not well informed). We asked a few questions as new patrons and either the answers were vague, nonexistent or wrong. Were told the sandwich had sliced brisket when it is obviously chopped. Ordered fries and wasn't told they are actually chips (fresh cut and fried). I actually like them better than traditional fries but wish we had been warned.

I did the mac and cheese as a side. It was okay, but didn't even begin to compare to Iron Starr.

Didn't try enough different things to give much of a review. It was good enough we'll try it again, but wasn't great. I think the sandwich ran about $7 with 1 side.

Good thing was a noon there were still tables open and no wait.

Made it in today right as they opened, a wee before actually, but hey, they are the ones who had the door unlocked.
Don't know if they read here or not, but I had straight answers to my Q's after telling them I was brand new to them. Even gave me a head's up on the french fries being fresh fried tater chips and asked if that was ok. Told them it sounded better than ok to me ... and yep, they were.

I skipped breakfast, as I often do for an early morn, so I was ready to sample their selections. A four meat platter and two sides was almost more than I wanted ... almost. It is Q after all.

Some of the better ribs I've ever had. Not dried out, and had no need for any sauce to pep them up .. that's a good rib right there.
The sliced brisket would have been fine on its own as well, but I did want to sample the sauces so I went a dipping with some of the brisket, but only some. A decent crust on it, and great flavor all its own.

Ditto the smoked sausage. A dash or three of black pepper was all it needed to be perfect on its own, and most folks probably wouldn't find that necessary (did I mention I'm something of a black pepper freak?)

The pulled pork was flavorful, but it did see a lot of sauce added. It wasn't bad on its own, indeed it had a better flavor than a lot of pulled pork I've eaten over the years. But it's not exactly my favorite meat to begin with, so adding sauce helps it quite a bit for me.

The chips were quite good, though it they offered an option for a thicker cut on the chips I wouldn't object.

The beans were typical baked beans, though with more meat than most places would work into them. Just a touch thicker than I liked, but a spoon of the mild sauce stirred in solved that for me.

The toast is typical grilled toast. One either does that right or they do it wrong. It was good, and helped with clearing the bean bowl.

Sitting in Norman as I do, more often than not, I don't see where I would be inclined to bypass my two local favorites (Sooner Legends and Van's) for Bubba's. However, on those days where (A) I'm in OKC and (B) I'm hankering for Q over anything else, I can easily see me deciding to get myself back to Bubba's in lieu of checking out another OKC spot or returning to Norman before eating.

My dad and I ate there yesterday after he picked me up at the airport. It was pretty good, the potato salad recipe has changed a little but the bean and sauce were as I remembered. Got you say hello to David as well.

So, I guess they are closed.

Website is offline, etc.


Wasn't great food but loved the space. Hope something interesting takes it's place.

So, I guess they are closed.

Website is offline, etc.


Wasn't great food but loved the space. Hope something interesting takes it's place.

Wondered about that last week when I drove by there... It always looked like they had a decent lunch crowd but I had not been back since the 2014 Broken Rib Tour because all of us concurred we were probably served reheated ribs that day.

Found info on their FB page... Has been for sale since February.... Maybe it sold and is transitioning or they just closed up.

https://www.facebook.com/Bubbas-Bubba-Q-135447903214773/?fref=ts

Yeah, I loved the space but not the BBQ. Back Door was probably the nail in that coffin.

Never went to Bubba's with Back Door down the street. Hopefully something cool ends up in its spot.

I only ate there once and wasn't that impressed, which was the reaction of pretty much everyone else I know.

I wasn't exactly blown away by Back Door either.

I only ate there once and wasn't that impressed, which was the reaction of pretty much everyone else I know.

I wasn't exactly blown away by Back Door either.

It's alright. It's good enough that I enjoy going from time to time.

Honestly, I haven't found a BBQ place in OKC I have exactly been blown away by. I was really spoiled by Little Rock/Memphis style BBQ, which in my opinion is the best regional style in the country.

The setting a Bubba's made it worth visiting and the food was decent if not great.

Best thing at Bubba's was the smoked chicken special on Thursday. Really good. I'm sorry to see them go personally but hope something good comes in. The comment I got when i asked was "maybe a wings and beer place" but that was highly unofficial!

I agree that the setting was cool and the BBQ was decent-ish, and also that Back Door is fine but not special. Just saying that Back Door's associated restaurant group has enough of a following to grab up a bunch of folks right down the street - not to mention Iron Star not being far away - and simply being "OK" wasn't going to get it. If someone ever comes around with real pit BBQ, they will clean up. In the meantime we'll have to live with the chef-driven stuff, which is good in its own right, just different from the 'cue I'm really looking for.

^

I think there biggest problem was a real lack of dinner business.

Lunch time always seemed busy but I didn't see many people in there on nights or weekends.

I agree. They were over in the strip center off Portland and 39th for years and I'm sure the operating cost there was a lot less. At lunch there it was packed lots of days with a line to the door.

^

I think there biggest problem was a real lack of dinner business.

Lunch time always seemed busy but I didn't see many people in there on nights or weekends.

Only went once and I thought the food was about as good as Backdoor. If I remember correctly they closed at 8 daily and weren't open on Sundays (and maybe Mondays as well?). Small window to try and make a profit.