Manchester Restaurants: Reds True BBQ

We were challenged to take a day and discover new pubs, restaurants, event spaces and hotels in Manchester and write a blog about our excursion and anything we come across. The goal was to showcase the various attractions and bring to light some of the hidden gems throughout the city. Although the spending money was gifted by Hotels.com, all views are my own. So, after researching the best places to go, things to do and places to eat, we come across Reds True BBQ Manchester and the reviews / food pics on Instagram sealed the deal! So we jumped in the car and headed down there.

We parked up in the NCP car park as it was only a 10 minute walk to the restaurant, as we walked down Quay Street in the City Centre we noticed some amazing looking venues to come back and explore. The Manchester Opera House was showing Annie, direct from the west end! Breakout Manchester Escape Rooms and some quirky looking restaurants down all the side streets that you wouldn’t find online.

Reds True BBQ, Manchester

Red’s True Barbecue, jaw-dropping authentic BBQ burgers & glorious meats smoked low ‘n’ slow, taking inspo from the deep south of the US. Step into ‘the church of true barbecue’ with the stripped back diner experience, authentic flavours and meat cooked to perfection.

After the American-style smokehouse first opened its doors in Leeds, it has since ventured into other areas of the UK with chains in across the country including Liverpool, Headingley, Newcastle, Nottingham and Sheffield.

What to expect

As we stepped through the wooden doors of Reds True BBQ Manchester (the former Shipping Agent’s Building), we could smell the fabulous authentic BBQ goodness. The stripped-back diner had beautifully exposed bricks and pipework, rustic furniture with dimmed lights and neon signs across the walls, with a cozy and relaxed feel to it.

We booked our table online using their website system so we didn’t have to wait for a table and it’s a good job we did as it was surprisingly busy  for a Sunday evening, which is always a good sign of the quality.

Reds True BBQ, Manchester: The Food

The menu had a genuine southern feel to it, boasted fresh and daily smoked BBQ trays that you can customise based on your favourite meats and meatilicious burgers sourced locally! With lighter BBQ sides and heavily starters, the menu leaves your spoilt for choice and with cheap prices and super sized portions there is something for everyone.

After drooling over the Reds True BBQ Manchester menu, consisting of jaw-dropping authentic BBQ burgers & glorious meats smoked low ‘n’ slow, taking inspo from the deep south of the US, we decided to order 2 starters to share, the XXXL Smoked Wings with the ‘Unholy BBQ’ sauce finish and Halloumi Fries that were served with ‘Jimmy Choori’ dipper. Both starters were amazing, the wings were enormous and the flavor was intense!

For the mains we both ordered the Pit Burger (upgrading it to a double as recommended on the menu), the burger consisted of 2 Beef patties, Unholy BBQ sauce, smoked brisket, pulled pork, smoked bacon, burger cheese, Dirty sauce, tomato, onion, pickles, lettuce. Served with a giant onion ring! Again the portion size was insane and we just about managed to finish, one burger between two would probably be enough if you aren’t a massive pig like us!

After two big servings we were in too much of a food coma to sample the dessert menu, but some of the options sounded amazing so I will definitely be going back to try some, but maybe next time just get starters and a dessert!

Red’s also has a retail range with 6 glorious sauces and 2 epic rubs, all available to buy online and in supermarkets across the country.

Check out our other food reviews in the North West, including some of the best restaurants in Liverpool.