Sugar Ray’s BBQ Restaurant

Great place. Pulled pork was super tender and corn muffin was amazing. Fries were a bit too salty but completely homemade.

Simply put, it’s as good as it gets. If you like barbecue — or even if you don’t — Sugar Ray’s will change your mind about your favorite food. I still order bottles of the sauce even though I live on the east coast now! I promise, it’s worth the trip!

I didn’t love the pulled pork. It had an odd creamy texture. I can’t even tell if it was smoked on site. I did enjoy the sweet potato pie and the onion rings and the proprietor was friendly, but I struggle to give three stars to a BBQ joint where the pulled pork was well below par.

Came from Madison WI on a day trip to Dubuque and stopped by Sugar Ray’s for a quick lunch. The pork ribs were delicious and perfectly done (fall off the bone, yum), and the BBQ sauce was a good mix of sweet and tangy. The ribs comes with a good-​sized serving of fries too! I also had a side of the mac and cheese and it wasn’t overly salty which I really liked. Sugar Ray himself seemed to be working the whole restaurant alone at the time so he had to manage taking orders from the phone, from people in the restaurant, and also cooking, all by himself. His genuine and amicable nature only served to improve my perception of the restaurant.
If I ever stop in Dubuque again, Sugar Ray’s is definitely on my list for places to eat.

Great Barbecue, The Sugar Ray Hot BBQ Sauce is phenomenal. Small place but amazing food. We oder take out from here on a regular basis.

During a recent weekday lunch visit, my wife and I enjoyed pork and beef ribs. Both were well cooked and meaty. While the sauce was greater in quantity than I generally like, it had good tangy flavor. Potato salad and baked beans were good. The sweet potato pie was also good, although I have had others that had more seasoning. The place is small, but the flavors are big and the people are very friendly. Food is ordered at a counter window and also delivered there. All in all, it was a very good experience. Go and enjoy!

Excellent BBQ! I ride my motorcycle occasionally from Chicago to Dubuque for no other reason than to go to Sugar Ray’s a couple of times a year. During the holidays when we come through Dubuque a stop is also necessary. Wife likes the tips & I like the wings, pulled pork & ribs. Small place, nothin’ fancy, but has ALL the elements of a classic, great, BBQ joint. Thanks Ray!

Good bbq overall here. I had the pork ribs one time that has a nice tender, smokey flavor with a good sauce. The beef brisket on a different trip here which was much of the same. They have fried chicken, fried fish, and beef ribs for those who are looking for them.
Smaller place with a few tables, they service was nice and the food was very good. If you love bbq this is a great stop while in Dubuque.

A family favorite! Sugar Ray’s BBQ ribs are the best! When our sons are back in Dubuque, Sugar Ray’s is the first place they want to eat! The food is amazing! It is consistent and always ready on time! There’s never been a time that I’ve been there for a to go order and had to wait. Sugar Ray and his staff are so professional and appreciative of the business always! They are helpful and friendly. We always get the food to go but they have a darling dining room if you wanted to eat in. Sugar Ray’s will be your favorite BBQ place too!

I have eaten a lot of ribs in my day. Sugar Rays has the best ribs I have ever tasted! I was in town for a family reunion and someone recommended Sugar Rays. You will not be disappointed!

Came in for a quick lunch. Not a huge place, only a few tables and chairs, but there wasn’t any waiting for a table. We noticed they had lots of plaques all over the wall for best of awards, so we figured we were in for a treat.
All three of us ordered the pulled pork sandwich. It tasted pretty good, but it could have used a little more bbq sauce, it was a little dry.
It came with some home-​cut french fries and they were pretty good, ranged from super salty to crispy.
I also had a side of their coleslaw, and that was good, it was a little on the runny side vs the creamy side, but it still had good flavor.

It’s the best. The sauce is spicy, lots on meat on the ribs. Every experience has been good. Getting to be a bit expensive. Our last order was a box of bones.

amazing original coleslaw, great pulled chicken and the baked beans were pretty good but a bit more brown sugar than I prefer but overall, wonderful food. homemade cheesy fries are a must!

Stopped in while passing through Dubuque and was very happy with the sandwich. Good, very saucy and flavorful, and well-​spiced homemade fries. The owner is a really friendly guy. Would definitely go again.

Unbelieve good. Not only food but service. He personally asked if i had ketchup in my fridge for the fries, and crackers for the chili. I had the pulled pork and chili. Literally the second best meal I have ever had. Outstanding food and service. I asked him if the sandwich would fill me up. He said, «Well now it will». Phenominal food.

Tasty hot link sandwich, good potato salad. I’d eat here again. Their sauce is sweet & spicy. The hot link wasn’t top notch (some gristle) but it was all about $ 7.

For local BBQ fools like myself, the sweet aroma of smoked pork and beef along University Avenue has teased us for several years, seeing as how the Sugar Ray’s location on University was catering only. The good news is that within the last six months, they have opened for carry-​out business so you can finally go in and order some of that smoked goodness whenever the craving strikes (as long as it’s after 4 pm). And if it’s BBQ you’re after, Sugar Ray’s has the goods. I’m a big fan of the pork ribs. It’s tender as you’d expect, and I ordered mine served with the house sauce which is a tantalizing combination of sweet and heat — I detect vinegar, ketchup, red pepper and perhaps a little apple juice! (pure speculation here). I ordered the beef sandwich with sauce on the side, and my wife liked it enough that she didn’t even use any sauce! Note that the beef is shredded, and not sliced like traditional brisket.
Prices are reasonable. Five bucks will get you a small sandwich with fries, or you can upgrade to a large for $ 1.50 more. A half-​rack of ribs (6 – 7 bones) is $ 12.95, and also includes one side. I recommend the baked beans — they have a nice subtle tang of cloves and brown sugar.
As I mentioned above, Sugar Ray’s is carry-​out, so don’t expect table service. There is counter next to the front window with three or four stools where you can watch the world go by, however.