Roadside BBQ

Roadside BBQ is a catering business in Lewiston, Maine, situated on Lisbon Street. The business holds a rating of 4.90 based on 92 reviews, reflecting a strong track record among the customers who have shared their experiences.

Roadside BBQ first opened its doors in San Francisco, California, in 2006, with a second location opening in Marin County at the Northgate Mall in San Rafael in 2010 and a third in Sonoma County at the Graton Casino Marketplace in Rohnert Park in 2013. The approach centers on slow-smoked meats cooked over a blend of Apple, Hickory, and Mesquite woods, producing a characteristic pink smoke ring near the crust. Rubs are applied hours ahead of cooking, and meats are mopped with sauce during the long, low-temperature process. Sides, sauces, rubs, and pies are all made from scratch. The menu features Memphis Pulled Pork, Texas Beef Brisket, Smoked Chicken, and Baby Back Ribs, along with starters like Smoked Chicken Wings, BBQ Nachos, and The Texas Two-Step sliders. Salads include the BBQ Salad, Chopped Chicken Salad, and Caesar, and stuffed potatoes come in Loaded, Veggie, and Meaty varieties. Owner-operator Randy Kaplan has been a restaurant owner for over 22 years, starting with McBurley's of Isla Vista in 1985 during his UC Santa Barbara years and later opening The Cantina in 1989.

The business sits on Lisbon Street, just steps from the Maine District Court and Chief Justice Armand A. Dufresne Jr. Plaza, with Canal Street nearby and Main Street about a tenth of a mile away. The Lewiston Post Office is roughly a quarter mile from the location.

Roadside BBQ's 4.90 rating reflects the kind of word-of-mouth reputation built over years of slow-smoked, made-from-scratch barbecue served in Lewiston.