Bandana's Southern-Style BBQ

Bandana’s BBQ, a St. Louis icon

I’m picky about chain restaurants. But Bandana’s is a Midwestern chain that’s been around for a couple of decades, so I cut then some slack. Besides, in a business, where convenience counts, they have locations in Arnold, Fenton, Florissant, Manchester, Maryland Heights, Rock Hill, O’Fallon, St. Peters, Sunset Hills, St. Ann’s and Wentzville, as well as restaurants around Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa.

Missouri #3 in Barbecued Meats

Serving barbecue in Missouri is playing in the big leagues. According to a TripAdvisors’ poll, Missouri ranks #3 when it comes to “Best State for Barbecued Meats.” Not surprising, Tennessee ranks #1 and Texas #2.

Bandana’s pulled pork lunch plate with garlic bread, potato salad and green beans.

The titans of St. Louis barbecue include Pappys, Bogarts, Salt+Smoke, Sugarfire, Shaved Duck and I could go on. Among such stiff competitors, Bandana’s is a worthy player in the smoked meat Olympics. Take a look at their menu. These guys barbecue just about anything on Ol’ McDonald’s farm: chicken, turkey, beef, pork, including sausage and ribs—Baby Back and St. Louis-style. Sorry, no fish or pasta.

Bandana’s meats are dry rubbed and smoked without sauce. Pork butts cook 14 hour; ribs and chicken, 5 hours. An array of sauces are available at each table.

The Bandana Man, a guy you can look up to. I told him the bandana would look better with my outfit than his, but he just stood there in stony silence.

Bandana’s BBQ pays attention to their side dishes. The full BBQ Platter comes with 9 oz. of meat (6 oz. on the abbreviated lunch plate), 2 sides, and 2 large slices of garlic bread. Sides include fried corn, well-seasoned green beans, sweet potato fries, lightly-breaded fried okra, chunky applesauce, as well as the usual slaw, potato salad (baked potato or fries), and baked beans. According to our server, nearly all the sides are made in house.

At Bandana’s, you’ll not go away hungry or feel like there’s a hole in your pocket either, though you might have to wait a bit if you get there at the height of the lunch or dinner hour. That’s a good sign.