I was incredibly fortunate to be invited to the latest Leeds restaurant opening in the form of Red’s True BBQ on Saturday. I heard about it on Twitter and managed to wangle myself an invite. Unfortunately I was a bit of Billy No Mates as Mr LTT was off getting drunk at the Leeds Beer Festival and my other friends were busy doing their own things. I didn’t mind though, I don’t get too awkward in my own company!
Right from the moment I arrived, I knew that Red’s was going to be amazing. The hosting throughout the night was exceptionally attentive and the staff well-informed about the menu. I was fortunate enough to talk to James, one of the owners about the new venture and find out a bit more about the restaurant. This isn’t just a couple of chancers trying to wing it (like I’ve heard about some other restaurants in Leeds….scandalous? Moi?) but people who have taken the time to really research what they’re selling. Because the one thing that you can’t buy but can taste in the food is the love that’s gone into it. For instance, they spent some time travelling all over America and getting into the kitchens with the chefs themselves rather than just tasting the food. They spent 18 months getting their sweet potato fries just right, so that they’re a bit crispy on the outside (a rarity with sweet potato!). The meat is locally sourced and it seems a good deal of work has gone into working with the supplier to get the ribs with enough meat on (and made sure that others will purchase the different cuts caused by making that change). Everything is home made by the way – the BBQ sauce is what started the idea off apparently and it grew from there!
The location is also fantastic too – just by the Corn Exchange right on the corner where Venture Photography used to be. I asked whether they felt they were in competition with Rib Shakk barely a 30 second walk away. James said that Rib Shakk cooks their ribs sous-vide and also don’t offer the variety of menu options that Red’s does. The ambience is great – rock music, low lighting and good use of the space split between eating area and a bar style area. The kitchen is open and you can see the grills and smokers right while you sit at your table.
Anyway, I’m sure you’re dying to hear about the food so here we go…
The cocktail menu is fairly impressive and I couldn’t resist trying an apple and elderflower martini. If you look down the menu you’ll see that all the savoury items have a drink designed to pair perfectly with it.
I ordered a half rock of St Louis ribs, sweet potato fries and the onion rings which I’d also been told had been subject to rigorous testing. I have to say it arrived pretty quickly (and it IS cooked fresh by the way!) – I was busy taking photographs and had barely a minute to consider that I was in fact a lonely diner before the delicious plate of food arrived at my table. There’s five home made sauces to add to your dishes (shown below) – my favourite’s being the BBQ and the Hot Sauce (hot and amazingly sour).
The ribs! OH THE RIBS! Eat mouthful was a taste of meaty heaven, the sweet sauce on meat that pulls off the bone ans still has a good chew. The smoky flavour from 8 hours in the smoker. I am salivating recalling them!
The sweet potato fries had that glorious crispy outer that I was told about – such a good idea and a break from the normal chips that you get in BBQ restaurants. The portion was just right for one and it was a good platform for sampling all the sauces.
The onion rings however were just not to my personal liking. They’re designed to be layers of half an onion but this proved a problem when trying to eat them. I just couldn’t wrap my jaws around them. The batter was crispy, but I thought the onions were just a little too far on the crunchy side and not enough softness. In that respect, Cattle Grid’s onion strings are still kings of the onion sidedish for me.
I cleared my plate save for a stray onion ring and was too full to manage a pudding. I had wanted to try the apple pie shake but they didn’t have it in yet. An excuse to make a return journey tout suite.
The pricing is competitive – aimed to lure the Nando’s crowd as well as the foodies. The half rack of ribs was £13.95 with chips and a side. My cocktail was £6.50. High street pricing, independent quality.
I have no doubt that Red’s is going to successful. There were so many people peering through the window, looking at the menu. Leeds has been waiting for something like this for a while and no-one else is offering this here. It’s also really great to see that London doesn’t get all the amazing stuff – the North is always way behind in many respects but I feel like we truly deserve this!
Website coming soon, fan page here
Went with my mates, nowt to shout about in the slightest. Noticed that everybody was leaving onion rings and there were no ribs.Complete lack of service from start to finis. Won’t go again. Fact
Hi Dean,
We’re sorry you didn’t enjoy you trip to Reds. It’s a shame as we’ve had really great reviews from our customers so far and although we’ll never wow everyone we hope to ensure that anyone who comes to Reds leaves happy.
We do run out of Ribs, this isn’t something we’ll really be able to change I’m afraid. As they are cooked over 6 to 10 hours we can’t simply make a fresh batch once the previous batch has been sold. This is common place in BBQ restaurants in America but as this style of food is very new to the UK it does take some getting used to by the general public. Hopefully you’ll give us another go in the future and be able to try them out so you can see for yourself why they sell out. In terms of the onion rings we are accused of giving very large portions, this is something we’d like to be known for but is also something that can sometimes result in people leaving food. We offer a take out bag service for those who want to take home what ever try don’t eat which has proved very popular. We’ve received great feedback on the onion rings both for their taste and for their size, we like to think ours are the best around but of course we would say that.
Anyway, I felt we had to respond to your comments as you had taken the time to make them. I’m sure if you give us another try at some point in the future you won’t be disappointed.
Thanks again,
James Douglas
Director
Reds True Barbecue
Hi James,
I want to go to Reds True Barbecue tonight but no-one is answering the phone to take my booking – can you book in advance?
Thanks,
Joni
Hi Joni, this is not Reds True BBQ blog, I just wrote about it 🙂
Sounds like a fab meal – gutted I couldn’t come too (we were in London)…I’ll be visiting soon though 🙂
Went with the family on opening night. Was perfect, had ribs and steak and both where the best I have had in a long time, the atmostphere and music was great and service was special. Will definetley be returning soon 10/10.
I am currently spending a week in Leeds, spent 2 nights looking for somewhere to eat a decent meal, third night we went to Reds True Barbeque.
The food was amazing and the portions were all HUGE. got a bit confused with the different menu’s and seating arragements.
Will be eating there again tonight we were that impressed and probably every night for the rest of the week.
Service was top quality, all staff were friendly and welcoming. I would deffinatly recommend this restaraunt to everyone.
heard mixed reviews, but i am certaainly going to make my own mind up! cant wait to give you guys a go. Even if you are stealing my staff!
fantastic food
fantastic music
fantastic service
fantastic !
will be back again
A great place! I wish I could go there…
Cheers,
Rosa
Went yesterday – 21/10/12 – 6 of us the in the party – 4 adults and 2 kids.
Food was ok, we had the feast between us and we were all looking forward to it.
Disapointed with the food – it was OK, I won’t be going back.
Come to 4 hours after, personally my food came back on me on my way home (we live 200 miles away) and today I can’t keep any food down.
Rang my brother and his wife and 2 kids are also being sick and can’t keep food down. None of us had eaten that day as we were looking forward to it.
not sure what it was but sorry I won’t be going back to this one.
Becs, It is a review of their experience. It isnt childish to express your anger and disconcern for a venue when youve had a bad experience. If she’d had a good experience she would also make a review.
My suggestion, If you dont want bad feedback…stop doing a bad job! Train the staff. For the love of God get that manager off the floor! He is terrible at what he does! 90% of the complaints are about him.
Agreed Christophe but I bet you this isn’t the first blog she has posted on.