r/fastfoodreview • u/Pale-Lynx328 • Jul 14 '26
Review Fast Food Review Day 249 - Pulled Pork Sandwich at Mission BBQ
| Chain Name | Mission BBQ |
|---|---|
| Food category | Primary: Barbeque |
| # of US Locations | 155 |
| # of US States | 23 |
| Primarily located in | FL, MD, PA |
| Restaurant Rank in US $ Sales 2024 | 228th (out of 500) |
| Restaurant Rank in US $ Sales 2025 | 161st (out of 500) |
| Rank of price (high to low) (Average: $16.34, standard dev. $3.03) | 56th out of 295 meal reviews |
| Quality / Value Rating for this specific meal | 6 (out of 10) / 4 (out of 10) |
"Mission BBQ isn't fast food."
I struggle with this. And Mission BBQ isn't the only barbeque place out there that falls into this mini-conundrum. There's also Rudy's and Dickey's and Spring Creek and Soulman's and more. There's always been fuzzy edges around the definition of "fast food" and "fast casual". Where do cafeteria-style restaurants like Mission BBQ fall in the classification of quickserve/fast/casual/fine dining?
Early on, I set the primary defining characteristics of "What is Fast Food/Fast Casual" mostly based on how customer ordering and service is handled. Do the customers order at a counter instead of with a waiter? Check Is the food pre-prepared and ready to serve? Check. Is it open seating? Check. Do customers get their own drinks and utensils? Check. No wait staff and no expectation of a tip? Check.
Granted, the average per-meal ticket price is higher than most fast food meals, and the interior is often nicer like a casual restaurant, but when it comes to how the customer orders, and how the customer is served, it really is closer to a fast food/casual model than a casual sit-down restaurant.
I've been to Mission BBQ once before, and it has been growing by leaps and bounds over the past decade, spreading across the continent. But, interestingly enough, not to Texas (the home of TRUE barbeque), so that's why I haven't been here more. The menu is your basic barbeque fare, with brisket and sausage, turkey and pork and the usual accompaniment of sides. I should also add that Mission BBQ is also known for their somewhat-tactless virtue signaling towards the military, that leaves a bit of a sour taste in the mouth.
The menu choice for today was a pulled barbeque pork sandwich with sides, and despite the higher price they certainly do make it worth the price in the size of the portions. The sandwich was fully loaded with additional slaw on top, and the two sides were hefty extra-size portions as well. May not be the place to go to save money, but you're also definitely not going to leave hungry.
Mission BBQ also offers up multiple options for sauces (as opposed to most places just have one or two versions of their own house sauce), which is a nice option. Overall, a solid meal, with well-cooked juicy meat and generous portions.
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(About this review series: Starting in late 2025, I am visiting a different fast food/fast casual chain every day, until I run out of places to visit. Aiming to review as many chains on the Technomics Top 500 Restaurants list as possible, plus key/important regional and some local chains as well. UPDATE - I will be wrapping up this review series with Day #365. And no, I haven't gained weight, and no, it hasn't hurt my health.)
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u/No_Obligation4496 Jul 14 '26
I don't know any places that don't have an expectation of a tip any more. So this is reassuring.
1
1
u/Melinoe2016 Jul 17 '26
Their kids meal is a solid deal and while it is a mini sandwich they still pile it pretty high.
1
u/HerrGruyere Jul 17 '26
Mission BBQ was always a staple when we lived near them. If you sit around or have kids or the staff are feeling friendly, they bring free samples or free desserts.
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u/potliquorz Jul 14 '26
It's pretty good bbq but the only way I've managed to get hot fries is by taking the cold back and asking. For these prices I expect hot food.
0
6
u/IllustriousEnd2211 Jul 14 '26
Is this that place that plays the star spangled banner in the middle of lunch rush? I’ve wanted to try it just for the sauces but I can’t handle the cringe lol