FOOD REVIEW: Red's True Barbecue, Ecclesall Road

Heavy rain is quickly leading to flash flooding across parts of Sheffield.
The double pit burger.The double pit burger.
The double pit burger.

It’s Maundy Thursday and the Great British weather offers the perfect reminder that it’s a Bank Holiday weekend.

What better way to kickstart four-days off work than with a barbecue?

Red's True Barbecue, Ecclesall Road.Red's True Barbecue, Ecclesall Road.
Red's True Barbecue, Ecclesall Road.
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Okay, that was a pretty poor joke but I genuinely did start the Easter weekend with a barbecue - albeit in a restaurant rather than out on the patio.

Pulling up outside Red’s true BBQ on Ecclesall Road, the lighting of the restaurant provided a warming welcome as the rain continued to lash down.

Once inside, we were taken to our table, which, if I’m being honest, did feel like we were sat in a cage.

Our table was next to the chiller for the beef jerky, with the fridge on one side and a metal divide on the other.

Red's True Barbecue, Ecclesall Road.Red's True Barbecue, Ecclesall Road.
Red's True Barbecue, Ecclesall Road.
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Our waiter Matt was prompt in getting our drinks order and brought them to us promptly

I went for the Five Points PILS lager, which at 4.8 per cent strength, definitely had a kick to it.

My partner went for the Zinfandel rose, which you can’t really get wrong.

Wanting to try something different, which the menu certainly offers, I went for a portion of pig candy to start.

Red's True Barbecue, Ecclesall Road.Red's True Barbecue, Ecclesall Road.
Red's True Barbecue, Ecclesall Road.
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It was certainly ‘different’ - if you’d define that as being salty and dry.

My partner went for the halloumi fries, which was by far the better of the two starters.

The batter was crunchy but the cheese had melted inside to offer a real tasty starter.

For mains, I think my greed got the better of me as I opted for the Pitmaster Tray - made up of smoked ribs, brisket, pulled pork and spicy sausage.

Red's True Barbecue, Ecclesall Road.Red's True Barbecue, Ecclesall Road.
Red's True Barbecue, Ecclesall Road.
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I was very tempted by the burger selection and instantly regretted my decision as I tucked in.

The meat was, once again, a little dry and I kept looking around me as the diner to my right tucked into his juicy looking burger.

My partner opted for the Baby Backs and Wings main, which was made up of half a rack of ribs and three buffalo wings.

She seemed to enjoy it and her only complaint was that she couldn’t stomach it all.

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All in all, it was a rather strange evening - and it wasn’t just the weather.

The restaurant was a little dark and I don’t think we were helped by the table we sat on.

The food promises so much but it didn’t live up to all the hype I’d heard when I mentioned I was going.

Maybe a barbecue will be on the cards for the next Bank Holiday weekend - here's hoping.

RATINGS

FOOD - 2/5

SERVICE - 5/5

ATMOSPHERE - 2/5

VALUE - 2/5