Reviews of Johnny Ray's BBQ - Colonnade (Restaurant)

Denis Rodriguez

I've had much better BBQ, I did enjoy the pork but it was missing that smoky flavor. The sides were decent, I would say I enjoyed them more than I did the BBQ except for the coleslaw which had very little flavor. The place was full and there were people obviously enjoying it so it may be a simple matter of taste. Our server did take good care of us.

April Joiner

Horrible waitress, not welcoming at all, and not real bbq. The only thing bbq about the food is the bbq sauce, it tastes oven cooked. The waitress rushed us to eat and pay and when she brought our food she threw our plates on the table. The food presentation was sad, bbq sauce was dripping off the plate and the chicken wrap was not a wrap they just put the chicken on a tortilla. Their ice was good though.

Merrill H

Great service, fantastic and unexpectedly wonderful pie. The BBQ pork and chicken didn't taste like they had been barbecued and we're not at all smoky. It was like cooked pork with BBQ sauce. Tasted good, but was not what you think of from southern BBQ.

angela gaston

Good food - great service

Amanda Savage

Rather bland- 2, much tastier BBQ menus n local area

Kimberly Joseph

Exceptional service and delicious food. Will visit again soon..

Alex Duplessis

Really great BBQ at a really great price. The service was quick and courteous with that southern charm and hospitality that you'd expect. Make sure you save room for a slice of made from scratch pie! I had the lemon and it was perfectly balanced--not too sweet, not too tart. I'll definitely be coming back then next time I'm in Birmingham.

Nayretha Haynes

It's been some years eating at Johnny Ray's and my first time at the Colonnade....food and service was awesome!! I gave 4 stars bcuz they didn't have my fav pies available due to holiday orders.... otherwise I'd given them 5 stars.

vidalia jewel

Lunch is the best time to go. Quick service, even if it gets crowded. Food is great. Staff is very friendly.

Elfreda Harris

Yummy BBQ. Tasty pies. Fried okra and wings...not so much.

Bob Young

Good food, staff was lots of fun and friendly.

Dustin Holmes

Good eating. BBQ was very good especially coming from Alabama

Grayson Wright

Great service, good barbeque for the price point!

Matt Killingsworth

We purchase to rib and chicken combination plates, one dark meat and one white meat. They have a very nice variety of sides but the portions are a little small. Overall the food is very good, the sauce is a little vinegary but still pretty good.

Donnielle Lamar

The BBQ pork, baked beans, and fried cheese curds were good, everything else was so-so. Not somewhere I care to return to.

Dan Hernandez

First time here. Pork was a little dry. Rib was excellent delicious. Chicken was also excellent. Being from Texas, I give it a thumbs

James W. Ricci, Jr.

Typically I enjoy Southern BBQ and JR's is that...fairly typical but good.

Mel Ezzo

Meh, nothing really stood out. Food wasn't horrible.

Mike Bryant

Good food Good service

Steve Toole Creative Services

Johnny Ray's has some of the best barbeque and sides in Birmingham. Their ribs and pulled pork are so good! They make their own pies too as well as some of the best onion rings you'll ever eat. They are HUGE and yummy! Great place

Kelly Lane

My personal favorite BBQ place in town. Prices may seem a bit high when looking at the menu, but wait until you see the portion size and number of sides. You will not leave hungry.

Jean Liddell

Love their BBQ and they have the best pies!! Sweet waitresses too.

Wil Johnson

Food was very good and prices are reasonable. Will return to try their other items. Wish they were open Sunday.

Frog Price

Stopped by for a quick bite between students. Had a pork sandwich and baked beans. Just deliciois. Hot steaming meat and beans. Beans had a full sweet flavor with a non fading finish. Clean and neat. Thick and layered flovir. The pig was tender and cut nicely, not too thick.the roll (bun) was fresh and sprungy. Added to the flavor of the sandwich. The sauce was just right. Not too spicy. No tears or lip burning. Was encouraged to get pie. The chocolate was as good as my mom's used to be. Brought tears just thinking about her. Perfect snack in a spotless setting. Waitress was as sweet as the beans. I'll be back when in the area.

S. Adams

Food, people and atmosphere was great! Love, love the friend pickles...yummy!

Gin

Still the best chocolate pie EVER, they just skimp on the whipped cream. Honey's original pies from the 60's had mile high whipped cream. Next time I go for my Birthday pie, think I'll ask to pay extra to add double whipped cream like I remember as a child!

Ashley Dickey

Friday night all-you-can-eat Catfish is a good deal and fish was great

Dawn Shaw

Good barbeque and killer pies!

Sabirah Rand

Not recommend but great lady staff and hot good food.

Andrew Wroblewski

Food lived up to the hype of the other reviews the brisket was delicious and the homemade banana cream pie was one of the best I had.

James Herron

This is a GREAT place! Nice food and area.

Dean Ethridge

We really enjoy the food here. The menu has a lot of options to choose from and the sides are always good. The prices are affordable and you get a lot of food for the money. One tip I'll give you is to order their food for 4 or food for 8 and you can get a great meal to take home for less than $5 each. Nice BBQ restaurant!

Linwood Shorey

Good food. Good price big portions

Millard Martin

Flavor was fair. Portions were good

Susan Hill

Love Johnny Ray's! Have been eating here and getting take-out for years. Nothing but excellent food and service. Great menu and THE BEST PIES EVER.

Sean Champion

Awesome food, excellent friendly staff!

Renee Coulter

Sill's has the best breakfast EVER!

Lynn Heaton

First time here and enjoyed the atmosphere and delicious food! Our order was to go but we'll go back and dine in next time!

Kenneth LaGrone

Food was very good

EARL HARRIS

Great bbq. Family restaurant style setting. Good pies!

Tim Ott

Another mid level q place

Kellie Lloyd

Delicious food and good service

Jim Hutton

Good but Jim and Nick is better. Smaller portions of meat. Good sides.

Terrell Ivey

Best coconut creme pie. Ever. BBQ is fair (my opinion, ymmv) but the pie is the bomb.

Michelle Moore

closes to fast says it closes at 9pm but it actually stops serving at 8:30

Jovayn Sims

Awesome place with great customer service. The barbeque chicken sandwich was delicious!!!!

Brian Reaves

Delicious ribs and incredible chocolate pie!

Larry Savage

Baked potato small and pricey

O.T. TAYLOR

Good service food hot and fresh

Nicole Warren

We haven't been to Johnny Ray's in a while, but we were in the area on Saturday night at around, 6-6:10pm(in case you have cameras). We entered the restaurant and it was completely empty except for one couple finishing up and taking to go. There were two people in the front of house. One was on the phone filling dressing cups. The other was at a back table making silverware napkin wraps. We waited and no one moved. Then we decided, well let's go to the counter and order to go. Upon approaching the counter I was able to see that the person wrapping silverware was on their cell phone. The other person continued her conversation and continued to fill dressing cups. I turned to my husband and said let's go this is ridiculous. I then called the restaurant as soon as we got back in our car. The person on the phone answered after two rings(hence she was on it). I just called to let her know why we had left and that I would be calling back to contact a manager. I just wanted to post this so that hopefully the owner can be made aware of the situation and review sales for shifts to see if there is a trend for poor sales on these particular team members shifts. We order pies every Thanksgiving and Christmas and pick them up. We have always had excellent service even when it's a busy to go order day, like the day before holidays. The pies are always excellent.

Selina Thompson

Good food, good pie, good service

Leigh Miller

Was visiting family and friends and have been missing good bbq, so we stopped in at Johnny Ray's at the Colonnade. The brisket was amazing, so tender and delicious. I used to love their onion rings, so ordered those as my side (extra $). They were good but not as good as I remembered. The slaw was fine as well. The most yumminess was the coconut pie. Just as fabulous as I remembered. Maybe more fabulous! Service was good. The four stars instead of five is for the onion rings not quite being up to par. Go and save room for pie!

Cindy Medrano

Awesome food! The daily specials are an amazing value! You get enough food for two meals, if you don't enjoy leftovers go hungry. Amazing pies! Above all one of the best servers I have ever met, Pam is so sweet and attentive.

Lynda

We went there a couple of months ago and ordered ribs, they were bones with sauce on them, but everybody has a bad day, so we went again. Once again we ordered ribs, we were served the bottom of the rib. We complained to the head waitress, and she said always say you want the "center" then she gave us another portion. This time you could not chew it! Ribs are supposed to fall off the bone. We spoke to the owner about the issue and he took 3 dollars off our bill... really? For food you had to order twice and you were not able to chew?? We told him we would not be back, this location has changed hand many times over the past 15 years, this is the worst yet...

Mike Roth

Food was bland and cold.

Tom Bianco

Best chiken fingers ever

Nala X

Service was great food was OK. Lemon pie was great!

Shell Lawhorn

Ribs were very tender and delicious. Great BBQ sauce. The pie was incredible! Definitely one of the best BBQ spots I have been to.

tina medley

Alot better than Dreamland BBQ places

Jordan Mann

Pam was wonderful took no time for us to get our food. The food was great. Ribs were tender and juicy. Fried okra was perfect golden brown.

Izz Noland

BBQ was par. Service was best effort. I may go again, but only out of convenience.

Gene Townley

BIRMINGHAM'S BEST BBQ!! GREAT FOOD AND SERVICE. REASONABLE PRICING FOR THE HUGE PORTIONS! YOU WILL NEED A TO GO BOX FOR LEFTOVERS

Vincent Williams

DELICIOUS food, made fresh

Jeter Barron

All time favorite! Just had lunch and I have to remove my recommendation. I ordered pork sliced and got pulled or something and even doused in sauce it was dry and tasteless. The onion rings have great batter but are sliced so big... I can no longer tell anyone to eat here

Jenessa Scott

Great atmosphere and food.

Antoine Ziegler

Food was good, service was great!

Anon O'mus

Food was good but the place was full of flies, trying to eat while swatting away flies isn't a good experience. Waitress ignored me and didn't bring my ticket, I politely waited but had to go to the counter to ask for it.

Jennifer Sanders

The service was fast and very friendly however, the chopped pork sandwich (more like shredded) wad dry and very only hint of flavor

Alan Tillery

Great place to go with friendly people

Kenneth Hailey

Great food! Love their chicken and ribs plate. Going to Johnny Ray's brought back great memories!

Jim Mc

Great food and service!

Ruth Shields

Good BBQ, great pie!

Tony Hall

Great food...With Great Service!!!

Linda Gigliette

I guess I chose wrong - baked potato with chicken. Ate it by smothering it in BBQ sauce, otherwise chicken dry and tasteless. I guess the potato had been cooked much earlier in the day and just kept hot. Definitely not worth $10.

Kaneesha Wheeler

This is so delicious! The staff is really friendly. They usually have a good bit of people when I go with my husband. You get more than you pay for. I always have enough for lunch the next day. The chicken is juicy and you don't have to fight to get the rib meat off the bones. It's family friendly. Music is played in the background...noticable enough to sing along, but soft enough to have a conversation without having to raise you voice above normal level. They have multiple TVs for sports and advertising. I will be going back soon!

Shai White

It was okay. Their sauce is a blend between a sweet and vinegar. My husband wasn't impressed with the beef nachos. I had a chicken potato. It was a decent size and good. The waitress could've definitely used a class or two on customer service. We didn't really feel very welcome. We most likely won't be back. I'd only order from them again if I were using a delivery service because they are better than the competitors in the area.

Cindy Copeland

Great atmosphere. This was our first time here. Friendly server. Portions were nice size. Dinners came with two sides. BBQ sauce not bad but a bit tangy. The chocolate pie and coconut pies were the best! They are home made right there in side room from crust to the creme topping. You must go!!!!

Michael Abrams

Great ribs. Good prices. Been going to Johnny Ray's for 15 years. As far as sudes go, their beans get the most praise and deserve it. As for other sides, decent quality, nothing to rave about although their okra is better than average. Their refrigerator pies are somewhat legendary.

jerry7831

Ok bbq the ribs I had seem like it was cooked a couple of days ago.

Robert Green

Very good. Sauce is a bit too oniony for my tastes but it's still good. Also, great fries.

John Chandler

Food is okay. The Macaroni and Cheese is not good, the potato salad had too much sweet flavor, BBQ Pork had very little smoke flavor but was still okay. The Lemon Icebox Pie was the highlight of the lunch.

Dan Ruffing

Standard fast food level bbq. Has some beers in a can or bottle which is nice.

David Beemster

Awesome food, great service, a bargain at any price

Jeff Casey

Meat was tender but little smoke flavor and no smoke ring: oven baked ribs and chicken? Sauce was like a warm generic catsup, and drowned the ribs and chicken. Wish I would've had it on the side so I could've thrown it out. Sides were all better than average (cole slaw, baked beans, okra). Service was good, except my young waitress when asked if the ribs were baby back or St Louis style said with a puzzled look, "they're pork". Overall I would skip this place as it was very bland and forgettable.

EMPEROR BOWLES

Barbecue sauce and Ribs were delicious!!

Javier Lopez

Friendly staff, food wasn't bad, but wasn't great. Chicken was dry ribs were too. Meat was under seasoned, too much BBQ sauce used as a crutch.

Troy Walbaum

It was okay. My pulled pork was nothing special. The mac n cheese was generic (regular cheese sauce, no real cheese - reminded me of thicker Kraft mac n cheese). The baked beans were decent. The onion rings were good but hard to eat because they're huge. Overall, the food was uninspiring. Our service was great, though. Very friendly and fast. Our waitress was just the right level of attentive. The staff in general seemed frantic, though. And there weren't even a lot of people in there!

Katya Freebie

Food and service were great!

Alvin Chen

Coconut cream pie is superb

Michael Tedesco

This place has gone down. Used to be the most amazing pies in town. Obviously they changed the recipe, not even close to their famous chocolate. Waitress was sooo sweet we couldn't tell her, just won't be back.

Keunte Mcmillan

We picked this place based on our location at the time. Walked in and was very pleased with the restaurant inside. Very clean, our waitress and service was top notch. Now the food is a different story. It looked very nice when presented but when we started to eat......... No taste whatsoever. And most important no I mean absolutely no smokey taste at all. Word to my fellow BBQ lovers, keep moving. You might get better luck at the Greek joint next door.

Larry Davis

We ordered food from out of town for our daughter's wedding. The food was fresh and tasted wonderful and everyone loved it. This place has great customer service and great food. I would recommend to anyone!

Boyd Bradford

Great place, good food and friendly staff.

Gary

Delicious!

David King

Food is great n servings are huge. Unique southern taste n hospitality.

E Merriweather

It was okay meat was falling off the bones, but not enough smoke flavor and too much fat on ribs. The people were very friendly, good prices.

Ed Taylor

The BBQ is good, but the pies are fantastic espectally(sp) the banna cream pie.

360 Business Reviews

I got to see Johnny Ray's kitchen and smoke pit today as they prepared for Memorial Day weekend. They work really hard to make sure the meat they prepare has good smoke flavor without charring the outside. They make all their pies from scratch, the coleslaw, beans and really do a nice job. This particular location is under new management after closing for a while. Johnny Ray's BBQ has a great deal for take out such as a meal for 4 including choice of meat, two sides and 6 buns is around $20 which is very affordable. Great place for barbecue in Birmingham!

Queen Chssy

Great food, great service

Larry Myers

Nice, friendly, clean. Good, plain food. Reasonable prices.

Deloris Hill

Wonderful service,good food

Tyler James

Decent food if you can show up when they aren’t busy. If they’re even moderately busy however? The staff all act like you’ve burdened them by daring to walk in. Same goes for the phone service , fine if they don’t have customers. If they get busy? Oh you’ll be hung up on after being put on hold a few times , or somebody will just pick up the phone a sit it on the counter, or (my personal favorite) after going through ALL that somebody will finally answer and bark “ We are no longer taking phone orders!” And then hang up in your face. You would think that business might actually want to be busy , but maybe I’m mistaken on how that works.

Evan Smith

Been coming my entire life. Nice folks and good food. Can't ask for much more. Don't expect Cafe Dupont, just decent barbecue.

Chandler Reed

First time to Johnny Rays. We were a party of two and it took 45 minutes to get our food. Three people kept telling us our food was coming 4 different times over the course of 20 minutes. We finally got our food it was wrong and luke warm. Super disappointing. Our waitress kept running around telling us and everyone else how busy she was. She complained the whole time. We then waited 15 minute for our check.

Robb Pittman

I have been going to Johnny Ray’s BBQ for 25+ years for the BBQ sandwiches and pies. I have to say they have the best pies in Birmingham. But last night I ordered the ribs and their ribs are better today than in years past. The owner Tony Hall is always at the restaurant making sure his Johnny Ray’s BBQ is the best. I recommend this restaurant to be put on your list for lunch, dinner and catering.

Catherine Creed

For the first time in several years, I decided to come to Johnny Ray's for lunch. I arrived at about 2:35. As we were trying to decide what to eat, our waitress informed us that the kitchen was about to close because the restaurant closed at 3. We apologized for coming so close to closing, as we didn't realize they closed that early. Anyway, by 2:45, they were stacking chairs on tables. We got our bill BEFORE they had brought us all of our food. They brought us an almost empty bottle of sauce, our sandwiches were luke warm, at best, and the wait staff seemed generally irritated about everything we asked for. I'll give them another chance, making sure we arrive an hour or two before closing. But, I've worked in the food industry before. This is unacceptable in my opinion. I understand wanting to get home after working, but if you are going to say you're closing at 3, then close at 3. Our server's ride was waiting for her, as she left behind us and was in the car before we even got in our car. You can stay an extra 30-45 minutes to clean up. They only opened at 11, so if they got there at 10 to get ready, then they're still only working about 6 hours.

Kellie Frazier Mooney

Good food, great service. The staff has been wonderful and welcoming to the construction people from the new Southern Company building project behind them.

English Farms

We were waiting for quite a while, was busy but not crowded, waitress was nice but disappeared after taking our order. We were there for over a hour received our cold BBQ sandwich with no sauce, asked for sauce then after waiting for awhile went and found a bottle on another table. We were nice and still left a tip. But felt like a waste of time considering the amount of other places to eat in the colonnade. Atompshear was good and people were freindly, probably a good place to go if you have a lot of time to socialize etc. Sweet tea was really good, would like to have had a refill but the amount of time we waited I. Went to another restaurant to get a drink . First time we've been to this location. We might try it again but it will be awhile.

Bob Reas

Great little BBQ spot. Loved the riblets. Also fantastic service!

Debbie Ellis

WAY TOO EXPENSIVE FOR EVERYTHING ON THE MENU!! Didn't stay to try it. For those prices, my table should've been made of gold! ZERO STARS!

Mason Landstreet

Fantastic Service! Even better Bar-B-Que.

Billy Focia

Good food, good atmosphere a little above average and comes down to the sauce, which was good. Nothing really special but cheaper than Dreamland...I will be back.

Bill Mikell

Excellent

Bobbie West

The sides and sauce were very good. However, I don't like my pork to be that pink. It looks like it is not fully cooked.

Benjamin Montgomery

Really good

Robert Montjoy

Staff weren't very attentive, served me cold stew.

Teri Hinton

Its BBQ in Alabama... Yummm

Thunder Tracker

Best chocolate pie in town!

Marc Vigneault

Great service and good place for comfort food. The catfish was fantastic. Nice light bead crumb coating crispy but not greasy. The sides we're good. The onion rings were like ginormous rings, also with a light coat of crumbs.

Mark Zeien

Every visit is delicious. Make sure you sample the amazing made from scratch pies as well!

steven hissa

Terrible had to send back..cold brisket like shoe leather. Don't waste your money

Charline Macon Bey Empress Asher

Like the food but pie needed more lemon flavor

savvy williams

We walked in last night at 8:15pm...sign on door said they were open until 9:00...we were ignored by the manager or owner or whomever while he sat at the bar and finished eating...he walked near our table 3 times...never acknowledged we were there..never got us a server...we sat there a good 10 minutes and then got up and left.

Rene Yanes

Suculent pulled pork! Sides are amazing and I have to give up to the friendly servers!

Wayne Stewart

It has been over 20 years since I had been to a Johnny Ray's BBQ. The food here was great, their hospitality was sincere, and we had a great time! The atmosphere was very modern and kept clean. I would definitely recommend this restaurant.

Rabbi Lantz

Poor Excuse for a Restaurant. Average food, horrible staff, crappy environment.

Timothy McCool

I remember the original Johnny Ray's in Roebuck. I can see how it has lasted - great food.

Stacey Gathers

Extremely disappointed, bad bbq, VERY dirty We visited Johnny Rays as we had been there in 1996 and it was extremely good. We were disappointed just after walking in as every single surface from the booths to the tables to the pictures on the wall were smeared with grease. VISIBLY SMEARED. as if they'd had been wiped with a dirty rag. That I might be able to get over if the food was good. However the brisket wasn't smoked or at least didn't taste like it, the green beans had zero flavor even for green beans. + Everything else tasted like it had been soaked in sugar. The whole experience was so sad I almost cried. Worst meal of my entire life and I'm 40. The only saving grace was the chocolate pie which thank God was just as delicious as we remembered . Needless to say there's no way in heck we would ever return.