Buckingham Smokehouse - Columbia

Had a nice lunch. the personal was friendly. meat could have tasted a little more.

After 24 amazing years of BBQ in Colombia, Buckingham Smokehouse has officially been sold! We are excited to announce that Como Smoke and Fire has purchased the property for their second location expansion. Owned by Brad Brown, this family-run business is grateful to our incredible customers and friends for their support throughout the years. Our last day of business will be April 16, 2022, so be sure to stop by for our regular sandwich special, 1/2 Brat dinner, pint, or pit salad for one last taste. We have been fortunate to see familiar faces for over two decades and we thank you for your loyalty. We hope to see you for one final visit and hope that we have provided you with lasting memories during your time with us. Don't forget to use your gift cards and thank you for your support as we bid farewell.

I am a fan of barbecue, so I decided to try out some iconic barbecue spots in Kansas City such as Joe's BBQ, Jack Stack, Arthur Bryant's, and Q39. I've also tried lesser-known but well-regarded barbecue places in Jefferson City like Sweet Smoke and Lutz's. Eager to try something different, I visited Buckingham's with a friend. The decor was beautiful with natural wood accents, and the staff was friendly. The aroma of grilled pork filled the air as we walked in, setting the stage for a tantalizing experience. We started with the BBQ nachos, topped with tender pork, jalapeños, and Queso cheese. The sweetness of the barbecue, paired with the sweet beans and hearty nacho chips, left a somewhat lackluster taste that needed a kick of spice. The jalapeños and house salsa added a nice punch of flavor. For the main course, I ordered the half rack of baby back ribs with sweet potato fries and baked beans, while my friend opted for the BBQ salad (a risky choice, but she enjoyed it based on her previous experience). The ribs had a similar sweet flavor to the nachos, but unfortunately, they lacked flavor and were served lukewarm. The two sauces on the table didn't do much to enhance the taste. I was disappointed, but my friend enjoyed her salad. The roll and pickles served with my meal seemed like unnecessary additions. She drizzled mild sauce and house dressing on her salad, which she found tasty, though I noticed she left half of it uneaten. Overall, I was underwhelmed by the barbecue at Buckingham's.

This is my first time writing a review, but after visiting this restaurant, I feel it is important to share my experience. We ordered the brisket sandwich and a combo plate with pulled pork and brisket. Unfortunately, it was the worst prepared food I have ever had the displeasure of tasting. The brisket tasted old and flavorless, as if it had been reheated from last week. The pulled pork was equally disappointing. After just one bite, we couldn't bring ourselves to eat any more. The sides tasted like they were store-bought and the smoker pit in the back seemed more for show than actual barbecue. I would not recommend wasting your time or money at this place. Giving it a one-star review would be too generous.

I'm a bit puzzled by all the positive reviews. The atmosphere and service were perfectly fine, but the BBQ itself was incredibly disappointing. We had the brisket and the pork, and while neither were terrible, they didn't didn't have much smoky flavor at all. The brisket was thin and didn't have any crust to speak of. The spicy sauce was spicy, but the flavor was pretty bad. The Mac n cheese was good but nothing special, the green beans were actually pretty good, and the roll was also really good. But I get BBQ for the BBQ, and in this case, it falls far short of what I expect from a restaurant with such glowing reviews.