BBQ Season is here - Let’s make it a great BBQ season - owning the bbq lane

EXECUTIVE MESSAGE

Hello Team City Barbeque,

I hope this edition of Smoke Signals finds you, your team, and family doing great!

One of my mentors often stressed the importance of “trusting the good intentions of our people.” What he meant by that was we should all begin with the belief that all people are good, they operate with good intentions, and at the end of the day want to make the world a better place. This has always stuck with me and has served me well over the years.

In a business that is all about people, it could not be more relevant. Think about this: Team City Barbeque has over 2700 team members and we will serve over 14 million guests this year. With so many interactions, so many new guests, and so many potential relationships – the sky is truly the limit for City Barbeque.

We all know that our greatest asset in growing the business is our people and the unique culture we have built together. City Barbeque was founded with the belief of trusting the good intentions of our people. Our guiding principles of the $100 bill rule and the 95/5 rule are perfect examples of a culture built on trust and empowerment. My ask of you is to embrace and model it.

We believe in the good intentions of our people and their commitment to our Purpose. Give them the autonomy to make decisions, permission to make mistakes, and the space to be themselves. This trust creates an environment where everyone feels valued and inspired to contribute. When people love their jobs, they become brand ambassadors, amplifying our message far beyond the four walls of the joint.

If you want to make your joint a community powerhouse, simply unleash the power of your people. You will not regret it. 

Appreciative of all you do,

Mike  

~ Mike Muldoon, Chief Executive Officer

Pitmaster Graduation

Pitmaster Competition

WOW! What an amazing class of pitmaster graduates this year, they certainly brought their pitmaster best!

2025 Graduating class: Paul Lowe, Seth Band, Angela Bailey, Pete Mahaney, Tyler Camela , Amber Conniff and Steven Huff.

These ladies and gentlemen showed up in a very big way. They spend nearly a year learning the science and techniques that make smoking meats the true art it is.

They work o may different projects, developing their own recipes, to bring it all to the graduation/ competition. The big show down if you will.

They competed at a very high level, showing the supporters their creativity, passion for what they do and the excitement they have for barbeque.

With individual stations and food that was finger licking good, we were all impressed and the work and dedication that went into pulling this all together.

Everyone placed in one of the categories or another, but we did have an overall Pitmaster Champion, Paul Lowe from Cary took the belt.

Congratulations to all of our Pitmasters as they have “Set the Standards Others Follow”.

~ Aletha Dawson, Director of Training and Recruiting

Four Pillars

TEAM

~ Jillian Armstrong, Teammate Experience, HR Director

Guest

We know we've got some amazing creators on the team! If you love making content for TikTok,

Instagram, and/or Facebook and want to be part of our social media presence, join our new Creator

Collaboration Program for a chance to be featured on our official accounts. Fill out this form if you're

interested!

• LINK TO FORM: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DSP9TKY

~ Jillian Armstrong, Teammate Experience, HR Director

Process

Exciting News for the City BBQ Team 

We’re delighted to share some major milestones as we move through Q3! Over half of our joints have now successfully transitioned to our new POS system, and the rollout will continue at pace through October, driving improvements in guest experience and team efficiency. 

We’re also thrilled to announce the grand opening of our newest location on Georgetown Rd in Kentucky! This joint is led by an outstanding team: RDO Tim Zombek, Market Leader Michel Keough, and GM Ray Mills. Congratulations to everyone involved for making this possible. 

Looking ahead, we’re gearing up for the holiday season. Preparations are underway to ensure we’re ready for holiday orders beginning in October, so every guest enjoys a seamless and delicious experience. 

Thank you for your dedication, adaptability, and commitment to excellence. Stay tuned for more details and keep up the great work! 

~ Dave Skerl, Director of Strategic Implementation

Financial

~ Tadd Christensen, Director of Finance

RDo reflections

welcome Team Georgetown!

Ray Mills - General Manager

I have been with City BBQ for a little over 6 years. I started at the Harrodsburg Road location with Michel Keough, and worked there for 2 years. I was promoted to General Manager at the Hurstbourne location (Louisville, KY) and later drove a successful NJO at Poplar Level in Louisville, KY.

Before City BBQ, I was with Bob Evans for 9 years. I was a CTGM and was also the area training manager, which certified and audited other CTGMs. I worked at all the locations in Lexington, KY and several in the Norther Kentucky and Cincinnati area.

I am very excited to bring my style of leadership back to Lexington, KY.

Catering Chatter

BBQ BRAVOS - Shoutouts

TEAMMATE SPOTLIGHT

Jeff kania | Hr Generalist, corporate office

What is your current role at City BBQ? 

Human Resources Generalist.  I made it goal when I was hired back in 2022
Previous AGM in Deerfield

What aspect of your role do you enjoy the most?

Being able to interact with team members across the entire company.

What three words would you use to describe City Barbeque? 

Culture, Delicious, Friendly

What three words would you use to describe yourself? 

Dedicated, Funny, Caring

If you could switch jobs with anyone else in the company, whose job would you want and why?

Chef Jess. I love working with food. I like combining different foods together to make a new and exciting dish.

Do you have any hobbies or belong to any groups outside of work? 

Spending time with the kids, camping, cooking (pretty much anything to do with food).
I love sports, so anytime I travel I always search for sporting events and try to attend at least one. Die hard Cubs fan.

If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?

Play the guitar. Tried to teach myself years ago and gave up.

Do you have a favorite family tradition or one that you want to start? 

Going to mass on Christmas Eve, coming home, having pizza, and opening presents.

What is the most important thing you have learned in life?

God doesn’t give you more than you can handle.

Everyone’s Favorite Recipe of yours or your favorite recipe –

Gooey Butter Cake Cookies

Brooke Davis | Assistant Manager, Fairlawn

What is your current role at City BBQ?

Assistant Manager at the Fairlawn joint

What aspect of your role do you enjoy the most?

I enjoy having a part in leading our crew and encouraging us to improve as a team every day.

What three words would you use to describe City Barbeque?

Friendly, Competitive, Handmade

 What three words would you use to describe yourself?

Focused, Detail Oriented, Leader

If you could switch jobs with anyone else in the company, whose job would you want and why?

Rebecca Burleson. Training is a passion of mine and I would love to be able to have such a big role in the development of City BBQ. Becky always has so much knowledge to share and the best attitude.

Do you have any hobbies or belong to any groups outside of work?

My partner and I just purchased our first home and through this experience I have learned that I love home design and gardening.

If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?

I would love to learn an instrument and how to read music.

Do you have a favorite family tradition or one that you want to start?

For summers now, my immediate and extended family get together on Sundays to play volleyball. We split up into teams and it can get intense.

 What is the most important thing you have learned in life?

Together is better. I’m the oldest of 5 sisters and a brother and it has been a together mindset from the beginning. Being from a large family has helped me grow in team dynamics.

Everyone’s Favorite Recipe of yours or your favorite recipe

My mom makes me her banana pancakes every year for my birthday. My favorite breakfast and a nice tradition.

RAVING FANS

Acworth

Ashton was very attentive. She knew exactly what she was doing when she took my order, making the probably the smoothest order process I've had at a restaurant, Not to mention the quality of the Barbecue itself.

Bria was awesome! Great food and service. She is awesome!

Kara was awesome today helping me with my order. She has a bright smile and wonderful attitude that makes her customer service the best. Please keep her around, she make this location wonderful to come back to eat.

Arlington

City BBQ has done it again - this is our third time having them cater our party and they knocked it out of the park. Josh helped with the order and was great at communicating in the weeks and days leading up to our event. Day of the party the food arrived on time, setup was completed quickly, efficiently, and cheerfully, and pulled pork, baked beans, and coleslaw were delicious. Thank you City BBQ!

Ballantyne

Jordan and his team offered a truly great experience from the second I walked in the door. Someone spoke to let me know they saw me walk in. I did not have to wait long to place an order.The food was well-prepared with each item was hot and fresh.City Barbecue caters to people with variety of taste buds. I don't eat red meat. So, I was able to order the pulled chicken. I highly encourage everyone to stop tell Jordan Antonio sent you.

Taylor provided excellent customer service during my visit. Food was great!

beachwood

Mama and her staff provided exceptional customer service! Great job, City BBQ!!!

Beavercreek

This is one of my favorites. Food is always good and the service great. Thanks Aiden!

Kimber did an excellent job from the time we walked in the door. Love City BBQ

Buford

Journey took our order and brought our food to us She was so friendly and polite We really enjoyed our interaction with her She’s definitely a great asset to your company We hope you will acknowledge her and left her know how much we appreciated her.

It was great food and NI was so nice and helpful with explaining the menu! I love this place! It blows every other local bbq place out of the water!

Call center

I want to shout out the wonderful Waynetta! She literally went above and beyond to assist me! I am so grateful for her support and customer service! She is definitely someone I believe should receive all praise when it comes customer support. She was very nice and so sweet! We surely need more people like her!  

Carmel

Very friendly people, personally dealt with Bobby brown amazing worker very respectful and did a very good job being patient and helped me pick what I wanted with out getting frustrated. Staff work fast to get food out fast .

Cary

We came here with our two toddlers and really enjoyed the place! Elisha helped guide us and we ended up getting something for everyone with chicken fingers and wings and a sampler platter, you can’t go wrong here. They have 10+ sauces where we wereable to try all sorts of flavors from all over the US.

Castleton

Emily at the drive thru is super sweet. She's incredibly knowledgeable, and her warm demeanor makes every interaction a delight. Her dedication to informing the customers on products and services is impressive. Thanks to Emily, every visit is a pleasure.

Chester Road

City barbecue has always been my husband and my personal favorites- even catered our wedding, today we sat down at Avons location to enjoy some lunch, when the gentleman you have in there by the name of Tony (7-1-25 at 1130 hrs), came up to us, with a huge smile, and an assortment of barbecue sauces to try, even pairing suggestions for beef and pork, Tony was by far the nicest employee I have ever met, from his smile to his demeanor you guys could not have a better staff member. We look forward to visiting this location often. And as always- the best BBQ we have ever ate !

Circleville

The Cowbell sandwich was amazing & the banana pudding was to die for!!! Very clean restaurant and the staff could not be better. Jordan went out of his way to make sure we had a great experience.

Decatur

This is my favorite City BBQ location. The brisket is always moist and smoked to perfection. Love this place. Kierre is always so good to me and my family and we love him so much! He’s so helpful and makes us feel like family here! Be sure to try the baked beans with brisket too and the banana pudding. I don’t even like banana pudding or bananas and LOVE the banana pudding here.

I always come to this location when I don'thave lunch and am craving great tasting Smokey bbq. Ebony always takes care of me at checkout. She makes great recommendations and the staff in general is very helpful. My order is never missing anything and my meal is always hot and delicious. Thanks City BBQ Decatur!

First time at City BBQ and it won't be my last! Tasty food and good service. Shekinah walked me through the menu and explained some of their new menu items!

Deerfield

I'm currently at the Deerfield location. Everyone I interacted with was professional and patient with me as I came in minutes before they're scheduled to close. The manager, Brian, was a pleasure to meet & handsome too. 4 minutes before closing & I still see smiles. He even threw in extra cornbread for my family. Last but most important the food here is fuego. OMG so tender & flavorful. I'm about to rush home, wash my hands, plug out, shower, & deep sleep from the food comatose that's about to happen. Tell Brian Reniya said hey when you stop by. 

Delaware

The Delaware Team is just awesome! Everyone is so sweet, the food is delicious and they are always SO good to their customers! Nate, Jamie, David, Erynn, Heidi, Shannon, Jordan and Nora are the Best!

When doordash couldn't take accountability for THEIR mistake, Phil and his crew made it right even though it wasn't their mistake to fix. Super nice people in there, and I gained a lot of respect for them tonight. Doordash driver delivered to the wrong address, then hung up on us when we called him out. Then doordash support hung up on us too, which is absolutely INSANE. But Phil and his crew? They stepped up and handled it when they didn't even need to. Food was amazing like always, and the place is always super clean. Thanks again to Phil and the crew. Yall are great.

Durham

I visited store #30 in Durham NC, and it is by far my favorite location! The restaurant is clean, service is speedy, and the quality is amazing. Katie is the best! She is so nice! If you’re in Durham, be sure to visit this location!

Brian is an absolute treasure. That fellow has been here a while, and always has a great attitude with a ton of care towards the guests. Food is always solid, though not true NC BBQ, it is worthwhile. (A low sodium option would be greatly appreciated, yeah...yeah, I know)

Eastgate

Food was amazing, I had the brisket and it was tender and pulled apart with ease. The Mac and cheese and fries were great sides to pair with the brisket. The service was amazing, Anna was so kind while taking our order and the atmosphere of the place is welcoming.

Love this location. "Queen Anna" at the register is so kind. Enjoyed visit today as we celebrated an early Father's Day. The team lead on shift this afternoon was very nice. Enjoyed our food. Family of 5 had ribs, more cowbell sandwiches and brisket. Will continue to visit this location. Thanks for everything!

Renee goes out of her way every time we come and dine. The food is always delicious. Best food in Eastgate.

fairfield

Shout out to Noah at the Fairfield Ohio location all around service was great and her definitely knows how to cut that brisket. All around a great staff at this location thanks!

Fairlawn

Miss Brooke is always so nice, I like her new glasses & her new trainee Ben was very courteous and I hope he'll be a great addition to the team!

finneytown

Cat at Winton Rd location is the best!! She tries hard to make sure it's a positive experience and I love this store!! Everyone of the employees are so kind and that's hard to find! They are very polite and food is amazing! Definitely recommend! They put extra seasoning on and try to not include as much fat for me cuz my autistic daughter chokes on it. Feels like CHEERS when I come in every week lol!

Fishers

Fishers City BBQ rocks! What an awesome team of people, you can just tell that they love what they do! We ordered food for 80 people for an All Company luncheon for our team at work. James Hickey the General Manager was so awesome to work with. He personally made sure that we got everything and he and his team even helped us carry it all out to the car. The whole experience was top notch from start to finish! Good Job City BBQ! :)

Soooo amazing.  The food was phenomenal...as always. The staff was so welcoming, especially the manager, Annie.  This was mine and my sons birthday dinner and we couldn't have been happier

Fort Wayne

Our cashier Adamari was very friendly, helpful, and had our order in accurately. The kitchen was great, the food looked, smelled, and tasted delicious. Kim came over to ask how our food was, she was very friendly and helped create a friendly environment!

Kimberly was a great host! The food was great as always. Glad Fort Wayne has one now!

Garner

City Barbecue was incredible! The food was perfectly cooked, with tender, flavorful meats and amazing sides. Every bite was better than the last. A huge shoutout to Lorena in the kitchen – not only was her attention to detail exceptional, but she was also always checking in to make sure we were taken care of. I’m definitely coming back for more! Highly recommend this place – five stars all the way!

The employee her served is, Christopher, at the Garner location did a fantastic job of welcoming us and helping us make our order. We enjoyed the atmosphere and always enjoy our date nights here. We’re coming back very soon! Thanks to Christopher!

Greensboro

I the food is really good and great customer service, ask for Daisha Walton for great customer service.

greenwood

Always one of my favorite places to get good service and BBQ.  Emily is always very knowledgeable with great customer service.

Harrodsburg

Had an amazing experience at City BBQ! The food was absolutely delicious, and Jadyn, the host, made our visit even better. His recommendations were spot-on, and his friendly attitude really made us feel welcome. Highly recommend!

high point

Ashley and aykerquia were phenomenal showing the true meaning of southern hospitality!!! I was at a conference at the Hilton down the street and we ate here all three days because their service and food was amazing! We will definitely come back next year!

huntersville

I'm leaving this review because of the exceptional service I received from Justin. I came in this evening right behind a CMPD officer and it was about 15 mins before closing. Both of us were hoping that it was not too late to place an order. They were out of the chicken breast & wing, but Justin was able to accomodate my request with pulled chicken, which was fresh and delicious. I witnessed him thank the officer for his service. And he showed me the same kindness. Thank You Justin!

hurstbourne

City BBQ is the absolute best! Food is delicious, staff is super friendly and the restaurant is always near and clean! Will be back over and over again! Amber is super friendly and so kind! Thank you Amber and the rest of the City BBQ staff!

IUPUI

Ronda the host at this location is the reason I come to this location and this location only! She's always cheerful and pleasant! She goes above and beyond! If you encounter her, she's sure to make your day!! These days you don't get the care and service she always provides! Thank you Ronda for always making my lunch or dinner extra special with you extra attention!

Johns Creek

The Manger, Prince was super sweet and kind. Best service we’ve gotten and the limited time brisket pastrami was very good. We will definitely come back!!

Kecia, was so helpful. She was kind, knowledgeable, and so willing to help me with my order. Also, I had a sample of the pastrami and it was AMAZING!!!!

Kettering

Chloe is a wonderful manager. Her shifts feel joyful and she handles customer resolutions graciously. Great atmosphere, wonderful food!

Lake boone trail

I frequent this location often and it’s because the food is always hot and fresh. The cobbler is one of my favorite to close out a good lunch. The shift manager Niya is always pleasant and greets with a smile.

Unfortunately that night, I was one of the customers that's shows up seconds before closing time. But this food was on my mind. I walked in and was greeted, as if they were just opening for the day. The customers service was beyond great. I went for the mac & cheese. After few sample's, I left with BBQ sandwich/w slaw, mac & cheese, sweet tea, banana & Corn pudding! Mr. William & team made my night.

Every time I come I get to see Jack and he's such a pleasure! Getting to be in such an inviting space really goes a long way, and I appreciate him and the entire City BBQ crew for being so outstanding!

Madison West

My mom and I stopped by City BBQ and had an amazing experience. Matt, the General Manager, was kind and welcoming, and made sure we felt taken care of from the moment we walked in. We both had the brisket tacos and they were incredible. The meat was tender and flavorful, and everything tasted fresh. The staff was friendly and the service was quick. We’ll definitely be coming back!

Adrian was great, knowledgeable and helpful and the food was 10/10

Matthews

Every time I visit the Matthews I’m always greeted with a smile or a Welcome to City BBQ. This staff hands down has always been so nice to me and my family each time we dine in. The manager on duty I can always remember her name because it’s in the Bible “Hannah” is such a sweet young lady, my kids LOVE HER!! She’s always a joy to see when we come. The food is always good and hot, we always leave satisfied. The entire staff Hannah, Kayla, Deshaun, David and Keyera at this location are ALL respectful

McDonough

Caleb was outstanding. He explained why my order for the burnt pork belly tips were taking so long. He checked back at least three times to give updates on my order. He is definitely a people person dealing with the public. Made my waiting for my order a pleasant experience. Thanks Mr. Caleb

This was my first time visiting City BBQ in McDonough, Georgia, and it was absolutely worth the 40-minute drive! I came here because of the great reviews, especially about the service and they were spot on. Tiara was my server, and she was fantastic. She had such a warm personality and provided outstanding hospitality. Since it was my first time, she patiently walked me through the menu and helped me make the best choices. The food quality was amazing flavorful, fresh, and satisfying. I highly recommend this place, and I’ll definitely be coming back!

medina

Food was great service was great as the young lady that helped me was very kind and gave me great suggestions employees name Tatyana.

Miller Lane

Steven, the gentleman at the register, was awesome! He new the menu, made suggestions, and made sure all the orders were correct. This was the best City BBQ location I have ever been to. I would definitely recommend it to anyone! 

Nate went above and beyond from the time I walked in till the time I left. He was super helpful and very welcoming. He was assisting his staff while making sure his customers were satisfied. Great customer service and the food was good too! ~Taylor

park ridge

Stopped by for the banana pudding, which was great. Alisa at the front was so kind, quick, and efficient. She made the environment very welcoming. (:

Demi was the best - 5 star service with 5 star personality!!!! Wish everyone had her passion for people - world would be a better place

Polaris

THE FRIES WE ALL LOVE ARE BACK GUYS !! On top of that I just had a fantastic experience at City BBQ! Andrew and Solomon were incredibly helpful and friendly, making the whole visit a pleasure. The atmosphere was wonderful, clean, welcoming, and just a great place to enjoy some BBQ. Highly recommend checking it out!

Food was fast and hot!! Tracey and Solo at the register were helpful and funny. Will definitely be back to see them along with the great brisket!

Poplar Level

Very nice and welcoming. Food was great came out fast. Mr. Chris Moore was very nice.

Portage

I had a good time the food was good and the service was great. Nathan in particular was very helpful. Would eat there again

There aren’t too many places here in town that serve barbecue, let alone good barbecue. but since day one they opened, this place is still fire. The sides are legit. The portions are generous. Check out City BBQ. If you’re in Portage, ask for Alex. She’ll take good care of you.

Raleigh

City BBQ is one of those places that just gets it right—every time. The food is so good I couldn’t even snap a picture before taking a bite. Their customer service is truly top notch. The whole team is kind and welcoming, and the manager, JoJo, goes above and beyond to make you feel special every time you walk in. He’s always so warm and thoughtful, and they treat my daughter with the same kindness too when I bring her in. I come here often since I work nearby, and whether I’m eating in or grabbing food to take home, it’s always fresh, flavorful, and never misses. They make sure I have all the sauces and extras I need, and the place is always clean and well-run.

This is by far the best location I’ve been too! The staff goes above and beyond to ensure great service. Griffin answered all of our questions and even provided some information on catering for our Wedding! Will definitely be coming back!

richmond rd

Cori is the best and most attentive to all customers needs. This is the best smoked turkey I've ever had, I used to love Sonny's but now I will only go to City BBQ. I WILL CONE FOR THE TURKEY AND STAY FOR THE BRISKET.

Rochester Road

Good experience and Jack and Allison were excellent at some recommendations for a good smoked turkey dinner.  Great prices too

At City Barbecue in Troy, MI the food here is really good! The potato salad you can take to the cookout! Jack helped us with order selection he was nice had on a cool hat. Jimmy plated up my dish, I had St. Louis ribs, Beef brisket, Smoked turkey, potato salad and green beans.

Sandy Springs

I just wanted to share that I had the pleasure of going to your location in Sandy Springs, Ga yesterday, for the first time. Dana assisted me and she was beyond amazing. Her customer service was outstanding. The food was also great! I will definitely be coming back.

This is my Go To place for good BBQ! I'm from Memphis, TN, so I know a thing or to about good eats. I usually get the pulled chicken sandwich, smothered in their sweet city BBQ sauce, served with the seasoned green beans, and creamy mac and cheese. Soooooo good! The staff is great as well. When you go, tell Jordan that Tiffany sent you. His service is always top tier, and he TRULY aims to please. I just gave you guys THE BBQ recommendation in all of Atlanta.

I recently had the pleasure of dining at City Barbecue in Sandy Springs, and I must say, the experience was fantastic, largely thanks to Jordan! From the moment we walked in, he greeted us with a warm smile and was incredibly attentive throughout our meal. Jordan was knowledgeable about the menu and provided great recommendations that perfectly suited our tastes. His passion for the food was evident, and it made our visit even more enjoyable. The barbecue was absolutely delicious – tender, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. Not only did Jordan take excellent care of us, but he also made sure to check back frequently to see if we needed anything else. It's rare to find such attentive service, and it really enhanced our dining experience. If you’re in Sandy Springs, be sure to stop by City Barbecue and ask for Jordan. You won’t be disappointed!

Snellville

Atmosphere was great. Nice clean restaurant. You can really smell the BBQ ! Shoutout to Nikki at the front counter she was very welcoming and had great recommendations for sides.

Consistently delish food! Proper smoked meats and sides done right. Nice banana pudding too. Shout out to DJ for the great service. Thanks!

Great food and atmosphere. Our host Mary Ann was veey nice and professional. Plenty and extra parking behind the lot.

Solon

If you haven't had City Barbecue, stop what you're doing and go get some. It's rare to find a national BBQ place that actually uses wood smoke for their meat, but this place does it. The brisket is tender, juicy, smoky, done right. The pulled pork is excellent, succulent and flavorful. If you have a sweet tooth, that banana pudding and chocolate cake hits just right every time. If you happen to be in Solon OH, try to meet up with Mercedes at the counter. She makes great recommendations and takes amazing care of her customers!

Strongsville

We came in 30 minutes before close and the service was still great! Johnathan was so friendly and helpful because it was our first time here. He made our experience great and we will deff be back to try some more of the meats. We would recommend this place to anyone wanting great Barbecue! The restaurant was very clean and smelled great also. It is our new go-to barbecue place!

Richie, Devin and Lisa are the sweetest people ever!
Highly recommend stopping by this place.

Toledo

I found that I had misspoken my order and Jay was absolutely wonderful in helping to make it right! I mean, not just a “Here. Now go away” kind of fix, but a go above and beyond kind of fix! He made me feel like my mistake really wasn’t that big of a deal at all! I really LOVE this particular City BBQ. 🥰 

University Place

I'd give 10 stars if I could give more than 5! GIVE. SABRINA. A. RAISE. She is so hospitable and as sweet as a doll !!!! The food was fresh and delightful as always. This is only our 3rd time here and that's within a 3 weeks span. We are for sure regulars now !!!!

Ms.Malayah helped me out alot! And the food was fantastic

Vernon Hills

With Any good BBQ, comes disappointment when cuts and flavors aren't available. In times like This the staff is what separates good BBQ from great BBQ. This evening we were privileged to have great BBQ and wonderful service. Julia saw the look of disappointment when told the BBQ we came in for was sold out. She was able to audible and provide us with other options including the days special. Speaking of the ribs were great, tender and not grizzly. Tatiana also. Provided us with the suggestion of the peach cobbler, and it was terrific. Extra whip cream, THANK YOU. The food was brought out to us, pipping hot, crispy, and melted in our mouths. We look forward to making the trek to THIS SPECIFIC city BBQ

The food was finger licking good Julie was kind enough to bring us a sample of their peach pie and it was so good mmm just out of the oven so sweet of her. Along with the brisket and steak we ordered my friend and I would definitely go back are eyes were bigger than our mouths so I let him take the rest to his family and his wife and him made sure call me later saying what a joy the food was made her night no cooking her meal that evening

West Chester

I just move to Ohio, wanted some barbecue. I googled and City Barbecue popped up. Jacob’s great personality made me forget l was homesick missing my family. The bathroom was very clean and fresh too. The world needs more Jacob with great customer service!!!! Thank you Jacob beyond words for making me feel like a guest in your company.

I recently visited City BBQ and was blown away by the exceptional service I received from Tren. From the moment I walked in, she greeted me with a warm and genuine smile, making me feel instantly welcome. Tren's friendly demeanor and positive attitude are truly contagious.

westerville

Hi Gang!! Just wanted to take a minute to talk about the Westerville City BBQ. This is by far the best you have. EVERYONE of the employees from top to bottom gets along with each other, helping each other out when needed. The leadership is the best have. Andrew and Dejuan set example for everyone to follow from taking trash out to interacting with ALL the customers. I’ve been to a good amount of the Ohio ones and this is the Flagship for the brand. This should be the Training Center for all your employees. I appreciate the service your team gives. 

This is actually two reviews. A couple of weeks ago I visited my favorite City BBQ location - Westerville - and Khalyiah greeted me by name! This has never happened to me at any restaurant, even though I frequently eat out. Khalyiah goes out of her way every time I visit to ensure all my expectations are exceeded. Yesterday, I had the pleasure of meeting Lakee, who greeted me with a smile, was respectful, and made sure I got credit for a discount applied because I subscribe to the rewards program. I highly recommend this City BBQ, because of its great food, but even more importantly, the great people!

Wendell Falls

City BBQ Wendell is the best. The food is fresh and good. Michelle, one of the mgrs. is the best. She is friendly and accommodating. Matter of fact, most of the staff is. They donated food for our teacher appreciation week at East Wake HS this year and it was a success. We go here for dinner often and of course, we will keep it up. Thanks City BBQ.

Great food and Amaya was very respectful and helpful while I was ordering. customer service was great all around and very clean would recommend this to anybody who will listen

Whitestown

I just wanted to say that Neil and Abdul was very friendly and helpful. It was my first time coming in and I was super pleased with the service and the food.

Wilmington

Kayla was soooo amazing through the drive thru. She talked us into trying the ribs out and I'm so glad we did. Honestly the best service I have had in a LONG time. Food great and reasonable.

The food is delicious and such a good atmosphere. Josh and Mary was very kind and pleasant. They made my day with there kind and sweet spirit. This is the place to go to have a good day. Thank you Josh and Mary.

Winston - Salem

We had a wonderful experience today for lunch. We were cheerfully greeted by Eddie and he was very interactive as we placed our order. We had a question and he and his teammate graciously accommodated our request. It is rare to have such a positive interaction with staff at a counter service restaurant. The food was delish! Our favorite sauce was the "swine wine"! We will definitely be back again!

Winter Park

This will be a half review because I got food for my 7 year old who wanted ribs. From his pov he loves the food and he is a picky eater. Now I will say that their banana pudding is delicious. I think they put cinnamon in it which gives it a good bite. The restaurant staff customer service alone is worth it for me to come back and do a full review. Josh the manager gave us compliments and he was helpful and friendly.

The service was great. I went with my mother for our first experience to City Barbecue. Nick greeted us at the door. We weren't sure what to order. He generously let us know what the items were on the menu. My mother and I greatly appreciated his assistance as well as the other staff. The food came out fast. Highly recommend.

Food was pretty good atmosphere was nice but really made this visit great was exceptional customer service of Carly sue was very friendly and easy going took time to explain the menu and made a great recommendation on what food to get thank you Carly and the rest of the team

WoodRuff Rd

Zion was super helpful and kind! Banana pudding is always great!

Woodstock

The food was amazing! Way better than you would expect for a BBQ joint with a drive through! Deandre and Richelle were very nice and knew exactly what we wanted for coming for the first time! The store was also very clean! We had the sampler which came with two sides and they both were amazing! The turkey wasn’t dry AT ALL, the sausage was very juicy, brisket was amazing and the pulled pork was very good and seasoned! We also got a free side sampler since we were first timers here! HIGHLY RECOMMEND if you love barbecue! Will definitely be back!

Veronica & staff were so hospitable. The food was outstanding and came out so quick. The sweet tea is to die for. Best of all, banana pudding on the house. Yall rock!!!

milestone anniversaries

Congratulations to Juan Velasquez for 15 years at our greenwood location. what an amazing milestone to you juan!

QUEMMUNITY

aS kEVIN bENNETT STATED: Remember, a major key to our success in 2024 was the notion that sales are a controllable. 

We do that by being the Mayor in our Town.  We take every opportunity to get out in our community and show them what City BBQ is all about. 

I’ve seen some amazing pictures and heard some awesome stories so far this year. 

If you are not out in your community, ask for help

We have the answers!

Middle of the year COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

BE A POSITIVE MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY!

Have you participated in any community or charity event/drive, or volunteered for any cause, either as a team or individually, at work, home, church? Please send your information and any photos you can provide to hr@citybbq.com, with Quemmunity in the subject line. We’d love to publish them in a future newsletter under this feature! We want to “share the wealth in a sustainable fashion!”

How do you win the community? Win the hearts of the competition, get them to mention you in their posts. It takes someone to understand how hard we all work to be the best on the block to congratulate them when they are beaten, but then have the courage to step back up and do the next one.

Aletha’s INSIGHT

This Issue, I am reminded of the of the importance of “Being Present as a Priority.”

In the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives, it’s easy to get swept away by the constant noise and distractions around us. We often find ourselves juggling multiple tasks, responsibilities, and commitments, leaving little room for genuine presence and mindfulness. But what if we took a step back and focused on being truly present in the moment? What if we dial into what’s truly important and makes a difference in our lives?

Being present is an art, and like any art form, it requires practice, patience, and dedication. It means being fully engaged in the here and now, paying attention to the people, experiences, around us, without being distracted by the past, future or things we cannot change. It’s about enjoying the little moments that make life meaningful and connecting deeply with ourselves and others.

One of the key aspects of being present is mindfulness. Mindfulness is the practice of being aware of our thoughts, feelings, and surroundings without judgment. It’s about observing our experiences with curiosity and openness, rather than getting caught up in our reactions and stories. By cultivating mindfulness, we can learn to let go of the constant chatter in our minds and focus on the present moment.

Another important aspect of being present is prioritizing what truly matters in our lives. In a world filled with endless distractions and demands, it’s easy to lose sight of our values and goals. Take the time to reflect on what’s most important to you – your relationships, your passions, your well-being. Make a conscious effort to invest your time and energy into these areas and let go of the things that don’t align with your values.

Being present also means being fully engaged in our interactions with others. When we’re with someone, whether it’s a friend, family member, or colleague, let’s give them our full attention. Put away the phone, make eye contact, and listen actively. Show genuine interest and empathy and create meaningful connections that enrich our lives and the lives of others.

Of course, being present doesn’t mean we ignore our responsibilities or neglect planning and action.  It’s about finding a balance between being mindful of the present moment and being prepared for what lies ahead. By being present, we can approach our tasks and challenges with greater clarity, focus, and creativity.

In conclusion, being present and dialing into what truly matters in our lives is a powerful way to live more authentically. It allows us to connect deeply with ourselves and others, savor the richness of our experiences, and align our actions with our values. So, let’s embrace the art of being present and make a difference in our lives and the lives of those around us.