Tom’s Bar-B-Q

Reviews

• Jacki W.

  star star star star star_border 15 July 2026

  I have to say. I'm kind of in love with Toms food. They have the absolute best ice cream, and onion rings, and you can get fun food there that other places don't carry, like funnel fries (just like at the fair) and ribbon fries (think connected potato chips fresh from the oil!) If these things aren't enough, there is so much more on the menu. Portions are good size and delicious, and prices are great. The only thing I'd like to try but haven't, because it is pricier is their fresh squeezed lemonade. I've watched them make it and it looks delicious, but for the money, I'd rather eat the food and get a soda.
  
  I drive across town to get Toms, and it's always worth the trip. I have my kids asking to go over there too. That tells you something when they'd rather go there than McDonalds or Burger King. Oh, and while it is run by teenagers, they are always courteous and friendly, and you get your order fresh and hot. Excellent service with a smile.
  
  The only drawbacks? No dining in, only drive thru. They are closed on Sunday I believe, and though I love the .99 cent bbq sandwich, sometimes it is more sauce and bun than meat. It is still darn good though.

• Dustin M. R.

  star star star star star_border 9 July 2026

  Working in downtown Toledo and in search of a quick lunch to-go, I decided to cross the river and give Tom's Bar-B-Q a try.  Arriving several minutes before noon, the drive-thru already had a half-dozen vehicles lined up, so I instead parked my car and walked up to the window. After several minutes of awkwardly standing there, never quite sure if anyone had noticed me yet, a smiling cashier suddenly appeared, opened the locked window, and asked what I would like to order. Having had plenty of time to ponder the menu, I ordered the rib combo with a lemonade (thanks for the tip in your review, Jim R.!).  Totaling $11.01, which is a good price for lunch downtown, the cashier disappeared for several more minutes with my credit card, before she returned with my card, receipt, and lemonade.  A few minutes later she returned a final time with my rib sandwich combo.
  
  Back at my office, I opened the clamshell and was pleasantly surprised with the hefty size of my bone-in rib sandwich. The meat was fall-off-the-bone tender, and slathered with a very, very generous portion of barbeque sauce. Best of all, it tasted great!  The only bad thing about it was the meat was so tender, and the barbeque sauce so generous, I was worried I was going to need a bath after eating the sandwich! The side of French fries were pretty typical, and while good, nothing to write home about.  The fresh squeezed lemonade, on the other hand, was excellent, and very well mixed, so that -unlike the ones you often get at fairs- it did not have a half-inch of sugar on the bottom of the cup.  
  
  For great food at an even better price, which more than made up for the slow service, I rate Tom's Bar-B-Q as being Very Good, and will definitely be returning!

• Jamie P.

  star star star star star_border 5 July 2026

  I'm come here quite a bit since I live and work downtown.   There is no place to sit down except outside so this is mainly a to go type place with an outside walk up window and a drive through.
  
  Only place in the downtown area with Corn Dogs.   The Ribbon Fries are good but they changed the recipe somewhat and they don't stay crisp the next day like they did in the past, I think they are using a lot more oil now.
  
  I wish they were open on Sunday and a little later on Saturdays.

• Mike P.

  star star star star_border star_border 27 June 2026

  I hate to buck the trend, but I was hoping Tom's would be better than it was.
  
  The chicken sandwich with BBQ sauce was well below average; it was kind of bad, actually.
  
  The much vaunted ribs?   Average, IMO.  Just average. The BBQ sauce was nice and tangy, but the ribs themselves didn't have that deep smokey flavor that is, in my opinion, what BBQ is all about.  They were pretty fatty, too.  (Of course, many people like the flavor of fatty ribs).
  
  The high point of my stops was the fresh squeezed lemonade.  It was great.  It reminds you of what you might find at the Fulton county fair.
  
  Tom's might be the best BBQ on the east side of downtown,  but it's certainly not the best in town.

• Lori M.

  star star_border star_border star_border star_border 25 June 2026

  I ordered th chicken wings .75 each they were over cooked. For almost $1 each i was expecting good quality and what I received was not. Some were whole wing dings and some were pieces. Asked for hot sauce and got BBQ. Advice: skip th wing dings and double check your bag. I'm adding a pic.