Van’s Pig Stand

Been looking forward to trying Van’s since my son started at OU, and maybe I over-​hyped it in anticipation. The Meat was good, but nothing spectacular and the Collards were just ok. The Beans were above average, but all-​in-​all I was hoping for more. The setting is just what you’d expect and I’ll try again and see if I get a different result. I had Ribs and Brisket on this visit and the Ribs were tender and came off the bone clean, but just ok on seasoning. The Brisket was a bit dry, although good for a sandwich or with something to add a little moisture. I realize that there can be a lot of variance in BBQ, so I will give Van’s another visit and see if I think differently.

Good food fast friendly service. Ribs were excellent. Went at 9:30 and food was fresh and good still. Only reason didn’t give 5 stars was cause was out of Mac n cheese.

Favorite BBQ joint in OK. Have had chicken, ribs and sausage. All on point. Potato salad and baked beans are just like homemade. Sauce is served on the side, Terrific taste. Large portions, great family environment!

If you’re near Norman and in the mood for BBQ, this is the place. All of the smoked meats are terrific. Very informal «joint» in a converted old (1930’s era?) gas station. Fun, friendly, generous portions, good selection of well-​made sides … A must-​do when I’m in Norman.

I got the pulled pork sand which and it was tasteless. It also had huge chunks of fat with almost every bite. I also got the potato salad which tastes like it was store bought. I tried a rib and it was also tasteless, dry, and not even hot. My fiancé got the brisket which was also tasteless. Everything here was really bland and dry. It tasted like everything had just been sitting out for a while. The atmosphere was also really annoying. The workers were talking loudly across the room right in front of our table. This place just isn’t special at all. I have yet to find a decent bbq place here in OKC. So far Billy Sims has been the best. I’ll just stick with them for now.

I wouldn’t go back. I. had pulled pork and brisket. It was cold and kind of bland. the bbq sauce isn’t special and I was especially disappointed by the baked beans. They tasted like they were out of a can and not even baked.

Very good BBQ sauce is great and love the brisket
Friendly staff and the place is extremely clean great job to the staff on the floor

The service is FANTASTIC! The food is great! The prices can’t be beat!

I’ve eaten many a catered event by Van’s. I wouldn’t go out of my way to go spend my own money there though. It’s average bbq, I guess. The meat is a bit bland and dry for my liking, and the sauces don’t do anything to jazz it up either. None of the sides have impressed me terribly.

Amazing BBQ at a great value for their lunch specials. My colleagues and I came down for a quick bite during lunch. I ordered the brisket sandwich. This was about $ 9 and came with a ton of homemade curly fries and a drink. The sandwich rocked! It had amazing flavor and was juicy. It went great with their relish and BBQ sauce. My friends ordered the ribs and pulled pork nachos which were outstanding!!! Everything had a great smokey BBQ flavor. I absolutely would recommend van’s for their great lunch specials. A side note: my hair absorbed the smokey smell for a few hours after eating here. A small price to pay for rock’n BBQ!

Smoked ribs, brisket, cole slaw, and barbecue don’t get any better than this. I love coming back to this place every time I’m in town.

Best bbq joint in Norman. Always satisfied with the meats and sides. Very friendly, and i think i will go get some tonight. Already getting hungry by just thinking about it ;)

Van’s was thoroughly average. Dry, fairly tough ribs. The sides were nothing to write home about. Friendly, prompt service for sure, and a nice atmosphere. But as a BBQ lover, there was not a lot to write home about, as least when it comes to the ribs. I have heard good things about some of the sandwiches on the menu, so maybe go that route. 2 stars, just OK.

It’s the best BBQ place I’ve tried in Norman (admittedly, I haven’t made it to Ray’s yet which I hear is also good). I split a 3-​meat platter, with okra and potato salad. All of the meat was tasty, as were the sides. 4 stars because the prices are a bit high for the amount of meat and/​or sides. Many BBQ places will at least pile the sides, even if the meat serving is average.

My favorite BBQ in the metro though the meats are hit and miss sometimes at least one of the meats is always top notch. One day they were on point on everything. Oh and I definitely have to praise the service here.

Great BBQ! You can tell these guys do not cut any corners when it comes to low-​n-​slow world class smoking. The ribs and brisket are superb. The BBQ sauces have room for improvement

Solid BBQ. Ribs were juicy and full of flavor. Burnt ends were excellent. Got the curly fries, onions and pickles. Pinto beans with pork rocked.

Grossly overpriced. Paid 18 bucks for 1 a lb. of brisket. Brisket was dry as hell. Its a cool place but your paying alot of money for mediocre bbq at best. Service was good and friendly.

Good yes, but not great.
Everything at vans is good yes. I will agree to that but not out of this world great as far as I’m concerned. With my experiences currently I have yet to experience great barbecue in Oklahoma. Hopefully one day this will change.
I’ve been going to van since I was in high school that was about 16, 17,18 I don’t know too many years ago to count it seems like. Back then I thought this is awesome barbecue. Little did I realize I just really love the sauce everything else is just pretty good.
The good thing about vans that it is probably will the best in the market. The brisket here it’s pretty good probly the best thing on the menu. Next up the ribs well I think they leave something to be desired. The sides here are pretty good but nothing to really write home about. It seems the highlight to all all my visits here are the sauce. (Note if you don’t like sweets of Vans of won’t be for you. Because vans off is definitely a sweet barbecue sauce.) Any knowledgeable self respecting pitmaster will tell you the best thing you can say about a meat is it doesn’t need the sauce. Unfortunately van needs the sauce.
Will I be back to vans. Probably many times in the future. Like I said I really like this sauce. I usually will stop in and buy a bottle of it just for my own stuff at home. As well if there is a game in Norman and there’s nothing better sounding that day, I might as well go to vans. Like I said this is good barbecue it’s just not great.

My experience at Van’s seems so unlike the experiences had by most of the reviewers. Did I even go to the same place as the rest of you?
Looking at some of the posted pictures, I think I may have been gypped on my order. I was still hungry after it was all said and done. Also, the ribs were really… bland. They certainly weren’t the highlight of my meal. I’m sorry all my OU friends, don’t hurt me! The sides were good, the bread is… bread, and the BBQ sauce is amazing. I just felt like I paid $ 8.00+ for very little food, which I would have excused if it was delicious.
I’ll be back, and give it another go, but for right now, it’s standard BBQ that doesn’t really stand out in any particular fashion. Certainly nothing to call home and rave about.