Bubba-n-frank's Portsmouth

We're really glad we decided to stop by this restaurant! Everything was fantastic, including the brisket, potato salad, hush puppies, hamburgers, and fried dishes. We can't wait to come back the next time we're in town. Food rating: 5/5.

Here's what we ordered: a two-meat platter featuring beef brisket and North Carolina pulled pork, along with hush puppies, sweet potato wedges, and mac and cheese. This food is far from real barbecue—it's nowhere near authentic. I would have been better off with Mission BBQ or any regular BBQ chain. The beef brisket was chewy like a fatty piece of flank steak, and the flavor was reminiscent of Korean bulgogi—just a soggy mess of meat. The North Carolina pulled pork was somewhat closer to actual BBQ, but the sauce was sour and lacked flavor. The mac and cheese was bland, easily on par with watery Kraft mac and cheese. The sweet potato wedges were the most reliable option on the plate, with a hint of salt and cinnamon for a bit of flavor. We also tried the half rack of ribs. The moment I touched them and felt their heat, I knew they wouldn’t meet my expectations. I needed a metal knife to cut through the ribs, and they felt like they had been sitting out all day, then hastily reheated in the microwave. These were the toughest, chewiest ribs I’ve ever encountered, and I spent more time spitting out broken rib bone shards than actually enjoying my meal. It was more work than I do at my regular job. I apologize for airing my grievances in this way; I usually refrain from writing reviews unless I feel compelled to warn others about misleadingly rated establishments. I can imagine that at some point, this chain may have served decent BBQ, but as it stands now, I wouldn't recommend anyone go near this place. If I could give zero stars, I would, but I’ll give one star for the register staff who brought our food and took our orders.

The food is excellent and has a comforting, home-cooked feel. There's a wonderful selection of dishes to choose from, and everything seems to be freshly prepared and cooked each day. Food rating: 4/5

The Barbecue Combo was delicious, and the portions were just right! It's the closest I've found to authentic North Carolina barbecue since I've been in Virginia. The staff were very friendly. However, I wasn't a fan of the sweet potato pie; it tasted too whipped and lacked the classic NC pie flavor. Overall, I would rate the food a 4/5.

I ordered the NC Style Pulled Pork along with the New Brunswick stew, mac and cheese, and hush puppies. I forgot to take pictures of the complete meal because everything was so delicious. The New Brunswick stew was bursting with flavor! I highly recommend it. My partner opted for the Chicken BBQ Sandwich and the Chicken and Dumplings, which were also sampled and received a glowing recommendation. We wrapped up our meal with a slice of cheesecake and banana pudding, both of which were highly delightful! We'll definitely be returning soon!