Welcome to Bad Brads BBQ
At Bad Brads BBQ, we celebrate a passion for exceptional barbecue in a warm and welcoming environment. Located in Orion Township, Michigan, our journey began with the aim to deliver mouthwatering flavors through a menu of expertly smoked meats and innovative dishes. From our signature BBQ nachos to irresistible pig candy, each bite is crafted with love and quality ingredients. We embrace inclusivity, offering vegetarian options and a casual atmosphere, making it perfect for families and groups. With exceptional service, a vibrant outdoor seating area, and a full bar, we invite you to savor the true essence of BBQ culture with us.
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3437 S Baldwin Rd Orion Township, MI 48359 United States Hotline: (248) 977-5910
Welcome to Bad Brads BBQ, a true gem nestled in Orion Township, Michigan, where BBQ enthusiasts and casual diners alike can delight in an expansive menu bursting with flavor. At 3437 S Baldwin Rd, this vibrant eatery has become a local institution, cherished for its inviting atmosphere and delectable offerings that reflect the essence of traditional barbecue.
From savory starters like the renowned BBQ Nachos—pulled chicken, cheddar, smoked bacon, and drizzled with a sweet BBQ sauce—to the irresistible Pig Candy, a thick-cut bacon steeped in a sweet chipotle marinade and smoked to perfection, every dish at Bad Brads is an adventure in taste. Customers rave about the smoked wings, expertly dry-rubbed and finished for that perfect crunch.
The sandwich selection is equally enticing. The Hammer Sandwich, packed with pulled pork, crunchy coleslaw, and freestone pickles, embodies the perfect balance of flavors. For the adventurous, the Growler Sandwich combines pulled chicken, aged cheddar, and the fan-favorite pig candy in a delicious medley that keeps patrons coming back for more.
Vegetarians will find delight in the variety offered, with salads like the Smoked Turkey Salad featuring sweet potatoes and candied bacon, showcasing how BBQ can cater to all tastes and preferences. Families will appreciate the casual yet vibrant setting that welcomes kids and groups, while options for outdoor seating make it a perfect summer hangout.
What sets Bad Brads apart is not just the food; it’s the experience. Diners often highlight the friendly service and a warm atmosphere where laughter and conversations meld seamlessly with the aroma of smoked meats swirling around. The on-site bar provides a selection of drinks, making it a fantastic spot for happy hour specials or a family dinner. And, with the added conveniences of delivery, takeout, and the option to pay with cryptocurrency, they cater to the needs of the modern diner.
In summary, Bad Brads BBQ stands as a testament to the artistry of barbecue dining. Each bite tells a story—a celebration of robust flavors and comforting dishes. Whether you’re lunching with friends or enjoying a relaxed dinner with family, the welcoming spirit and mouthwatering dishes are bound to leave you delighted. Come for the BBQ, stay for the experience!
I always love this place. It is one of the best BBQ places. The candy bacon is amazing and must get items. The nachos are also very good. Can't go wrong with anything here.
I have been coming to Bad Brads for years. We enjoy the food here and it's fairly consistent. Service is usually pretty good as well. Is it the world's best bbq, no probably not. But it is tasty and consistent. As strange as it sounds my favorite menu item is the smoked turkey salad. It had these sweet potatoes and candied bacon that was phenomenal. In the summer, we really love sitting outside on their patio. They have a huge wood burning stove but what is super cool is that in a hot day, they have a little most that keeps you nice and cool.
This place is awesome!! There are a couple of locations, I've only been to the Lake Orion spot. Came here on a weeknight looking for some good BBQ and this place did not disappoint. Started with the candied bacon and that was soooo good. You can't come here and not order that as an appetizer. Then we ordered a bunch of meats; brisket, pulled pork, and ribs. Honestly my favorite was the brisket, it was cooked perfectly, pulled apart easily, and had loads of flavor. We got the Mac & cheese, Brussels sprouts, and beans as sides. The Mac & cheese and beans were amazing, I would probably skip the Brussels sprouts next time. All in all, this was a great experience and will be back. The service was incredibly friendly and they brought our food out right away. The decorations of the restaurant are fun too, this would be a great spot to bring a group of adult friends or kids. They seemed fairly kid friendly.
Absolutely delicious barbecue if you are anywhere near Great Lakes Crossing or that side of town. Their quality is definitely way above the norm for metro Detroit and definitely will revisit again. And we have the locations now, it's great to have that option nearby.
Food is always good here. The street tacos are a favorite. Always delicious and filling. The smoked wings are also great. Super tender with great flavor.
Went for my mother's birthday. Always good to smell the smoke as you walk in. Sarah was a great waitress. Would probably rate a 4.5 but I will post a 5 because of the service and meats. And they treated my mother to a Vernor's float for her birthday! The table had a mix of pulled pork, brisket and chicken. The pulled pork was very good. The 1/2 chicken was served Memphis style, dry seasoned, and was excellent. My brother enjoyed the brisket. The sides were hit and miss. The potato salad was a bit runny. The bbq Chilli tasted good, but had fat pieces in it, which we did not like. The Chilli grits were very tasty.
My wife was craving bbq so we decided to try Bad Brads. It was very busy, but we weren't in a hurry and when you want bbq and it's the only place nearby, you wait! We popped into the bar to get a drink as two people got up because their table was ready so sat at the bar. The bar tender was great and we decided to sit there for dinner. I wasn't very hungry but ordered 4 meats anyway so I'd have leftovers for lunch. The brisket was good, the pulled chicken was spectacular, the pulled pork was very good and the cheddar sausage was flavorful but overcooked. My side were grits and the 1/2 potato salad 1/2 beans. All three were great!
We recently dined at Bad Brads and had a mixed experience. We started with their "Pig Candy," which is a candied bacon, and it was very tasty. Following that, the kids enjoyed a barbecue pizza that was a hit with them. I tried the platter, and while the meats were good, the pricing was all over the place. There were unexpected upcharges for certain meats and even for some side dishes that were supposed to be included in the platter. This was quite frustrating and made the overall cost feel unreasonable. On a positive note, our waitress was excellent. She kept our waters filled and was very helpful and friendly throughout our meal. We ended our meal with some of their donuts. The caramel and strawberry sauces were fantastic, but none of us liked the very bitter chocolate sauce. It seems to be a matter of personal taste. Overall, we might give Bad Brads another try, but they definitely need to work on their pricing structure.
I still love this place! Great food, great service, great atmosphere. Not looking to write another review, just wanted to add some pictures. My go to menu options are the street tacos and the chopped, smoked brisket, Mackenzie's cherry hard cider, and the 321 bbq sauce... everything is fantastic! Please bring back sliced turkey! Why did you take it off??