Kiser’s Barbeque Express

Kiser’s is probably the best barbecue you can get in the area. Most of their food is sourced locally. They also have several locations, one in the mall and one uptown. I would highly recommend.

Not a normal location in an old mall, but don’t let that hold you back. My ribs we’re a little overdone in that the meat fell off the bone (it should stay, but come off when you bite into it). But they had good taste. Sauces were excellent, and I bought some to take back to Texas. Kids hot dog had been sitting for a while it looked like, wrinkled. Daughter said everything she ate was «thumbs up» (mac n cheese, hot dogs, fries). I will go back soon and try the pulled pork. Overall a good dining experience.

I wouldn’t really call it BBQ, it’s more like broiled pork in grease. BBQ should be smoked and slow cooked. This stuff is covered in grease and taste like it’s been under a heat lamb for a day or two. They do have rather large portions but if the food not good what’s the point.

Awesome BBQ and great selection of sauces. Love the three cheese mac n cheese. BONUS — It’s close to our hunting la d in Ohio to catch lunch anytime of year.

My sons and I ate here about a month ago. It was very crowded on this night. The staff was friendly, but the food was just so-​so. Just a notch above McDonald’s as far as I am concerned. My oldest son’s burger was burned and he asked for it to be medium-​rare.

Great chicken bbq sandwich. Although sandwich could be used loosely. there was such a good portion of chicken and adding the NC Style slaw you had to eat it with a fork. The Carolina Vinegar sauce had a little spice and hit the spot.
If ever in Athens I would certainly stop back for another try.

Tasty, friendly, casual. Eaten here a handful of times, and it’s good every time! I recommend it.

I went to this place with some friends thinking this was good bbq. After eating the brisket tonight I developed food poisoning and this has ruined my night and New Years. This place needs to be shut down. I’m calling the board of health tomorrow to shut this place down. Nice people but don’t know how to properly cook their own food. DO NOT GO HERE!!!

On busy State Street, it is easy to pass this shopping mall without a second glance. But, what a pleasant surprise. Hiding inside a shopping mall, easy to dismiss as fast food faux barbeque, was Kiser’s Barbeque Express. In town for Ohio Brew Week, I only tried it because Unilocal reviews were positive and a local said it was very good. «Express» in the name appears to mean the quick way to get their genuine pork BBQ on this side of Athens.
I had the BBQ pork sandwich, a winner. Real BBQ, not the pork roast with BBQ sauce sold as BBQ by many restaurants. Understand, I’ve lived in Memphis & Austin and have come to know good barbeque. I am something of a BBQ snob. Be grateful Athens, Kiser’s is doing a good job with their BBQ.
You need to select the BBQ sauce when you order. Minor gripe, I prefer those restaurants that serve the sandwich dry, and provide the sauce choices on the table (or available to the customers at a service stand) so you can try them all.
A small disappointment, platters appeared to be for larger quantity family style ordering, not the common lunch time sandwich and one or two individual sides. I asked and was told, it wasn’t offered this way. So I ordered the sides individually which may explain the rather high price for lunch. (The person on the cash registered didn’t seem to know the menu, and appeared inexperienced and/​or poorly untrained.)
The potato salad flavor was traditional, comforting and very good. But the potatoes were too firm, and should have been cooked –slightly– longer. The beans, tasting homemade (not Sysco volume discount BBQ beans), great flavor, with a special touch — delicious sausage bite-​size pieces. Noteworthy, not a major complaint, like the potato salad, the skins on the beans seemed a little too firm, needing some more time to cook/​soak. (The firmer skin may have also been the variety of bean that was used, not my preferred choice.) Another eating with me had the slaw, and said it was the best they’d ever had — high praise.
Overall, worth the stop. Very good BBQ, and delicious sides (that may need a little more cooking time), in a shopping mall you might drive past.

chopped bbq pork, north carolina sauce. BIG YUM! sweet goodness. they also have beef and chicken.
mac and cheese is really good also (we bought a pint for the whole fam to share). they also have hot dogs for kids who dont like bbq.
clean. friendly. fast