Mission BBQ Review

Mission BBQ Review
By Siera Millard
Photo by Mission BBQ (2017)

Mission BBQ
​2644 Wilma Rudolph Blvd #101
Clarksville, TN
Open 11AM-10PM
https://mission-bbq.com/

Mission BBQ
Imagine it’s summer: the sun is shining, the weather is warm, you’re surrounded by friends and family, and someone is cooking on the barbecue. That is what walking into the brand-new Mission BBQ is like. You walk in and a cloud of delicious smells envelops you. The staff welcomes you with a unison “hey folks” and a wave. You order and receive a delectable meal that is a steal for how little it costs. I give Mission BBQ five out of five stars.

Mission BBQ is located on Wilma Rudolph. They serve classic barbecue like chicken sandwiches and ribs. One of the main focuses of the restaurant is the tribute to those in uniform. According to their website, their mission “is to serve you the most authentic, mouthwatering all-American food that’s done right” while honoring those who serve. The Mission BBQ chain is constantly holding fundraisers and service projects to give back to those who gave to us.

Atmosphere
Mission BBQ is the kind of place that can be casual, but also slightly dressy. It is composed of one large room and is softly lit, providing an open and cozy atmosphere. A variety of music is played lightly in the background and there are a couple televisions airing the latest sports games. The noise level is moderate and makes it very easy to enjoy your meal while engaging in a conversation. The entire room is filled with pictures and decorations that commemorate the heroes that serve our country, like those that serve in the military, police officers, and firefighters. Most of it was donated, so the pictures that they show of are people close to home. They pay tribute to them on their Wall of Heroes. Everything is kept pristine and tidy- even the bathrooms are clean. When you order at the counter, you can see into the kitchen and it is clear that everything is new and kept sanitary.

Food and Price
Before I had even ordered, I was offered a sample of chicken. If I was at all reluctant to eat there before, I was not now. It was just a sample, but it was rich with flavor! Excited now about my prospects, I ordered two meals: a pulled pork sandwich with their baked cheesy potatoes and a pulled chicken sandwich with fries. They leave a plethora of sauces to choose from and allow you to make it your own way. The greatest factor that makes the food at Mission BBQ delicious is that it is made in the house, fresh every day. This is clear from the first bite; it tastes fresh and is still hot when you receive it. You get a fairly large, mouthwatering meal for a very cheap price - especially in comparison to competing barbecue chains. Both meals were around only ten dollars! Their menu, though mainly focused around barbecue, consists of a wide variety within this constraint. They also have “seasonal specials” and I requested their caramel bread pudding, themed on Thanksgiving. It was delicious and perfect for the holidays.

Service
From the moment you walk in to the moment you walk out, the staff is cordial and welcoming. They make an effort to greet every person or party that walks in. When you order at the counter
they ask your name and call it when your food is ready. Though they misspell names, it creates a character that is easy to remember. Never before has my name been spelled “Siara.” The service is fast and though it was fairly busy, my food was ready within ten minutes. The way that it is set up, with payment at the counter, means that you are not interrupted by waiters. It is evident that the staff enjoy their jobs and this adds a certain joyful quality to the experience. A young employee, Cody Odendahl, says, “It’s amazing. It isn’t a job for me anymore, it’s giving back to our heroes. And this is only the first week it’s been open!”

Overall Quality
Overall, Mission BBQ is a five-star fast-casual restaurant based on every aspect of it being far beyond what I expected. The employees are friendly, the food is outstanding, and the price is unbeatable. This is the experience you receive at the brand-new Mission BBQ in Clarksville. Not only this, but they help those who help us. Their slogan, “it’s the American way,” says it all.