REV BBQ Outpost in Rochester
Every now and then, you walk into a place and know within five minutes that they take their food seriously. No gimmicks, no shortcuts, just solid cooking and people who clearly care about what’s coming off the smoker.
That’s exactly the vibe at REV BBQ Outpost in Rochester, NY.
Tucked away at 1290 University Ave, REV BBQ brings that low-and-slow Southern-style comfort right into the middle of the city. It’s not a fancy spot, and it doesn’t need to be. This is where you go when you want meat that speaks for itself.
The Order
I went for the two-meat platter, partly because I couldn’t decide, partly because that’s just what you do when you want to test a BBQ joint.
My picks: brisket and house-made jalapeño cheddar sausage.
For sides, I added pimento mac & cheese and collard greens.
If that lineup sounds like a good time, that’s because it is.
Brisket That Means Business
Let’s start with the brisket.
If you’ve had a lot of BBQ in your life, you know how hard it is to nail brisket. Too long on the pit and it’s dry. Not long enough and it’s tough. But when it’s right, that perfect balance of tender, smoky, and juicy, it’s magic.
REV’s brisket hits that mark.
It’s got a solid bark; that deep, flavorful crust that tells you the smoker did its job. The meat itself was soft enough to pull apart easily but still held together when you picked it up with a fork. Each bite had that subtle smoke flavor that lingers just long enough without overwhelming everything else.
Honestly? It’s some of the best brisket I’ve had in Upstate New York.
The Standout: Jalapeño Cheddar Sausage
Now, as good as the brisket was, the jalapeño cheddar sausage stole the show.
This thing is house-made and you can taste it. It’s got that fresh, snappy casing, and when you cut into it, the juices actually run a little (always a good sign). The flavor hits you right away, smoky, cheesy, and just the right amount of heat from the jalapeño. Not burn-your-mouth heat, but enough to keep things interesting.
Sides That Don’t Skip the Details
A lot of BBQ spots focus all their attention on the meat and treat the sides like an afterthought. That’s not the case here.
The pimento mac & cheese had that sharp cheddar flavor and a creamy texture that makes you forget about portion control. The pimento adds just enough tang to cut through the richness, exactly what you want next to smoky meat.
And then the collard greens — man, they were done right. Salty, a little smoky from the ham, tender but not mushy. You could tell they’ve been cooked slow, seasoned with respect, and finished with that perfect amount of vinegar to keep things balanced.
When you can tell a place cares about their collards, you know you’ve found a real BBQ joint.
The Vibe
REV BBQ Outpost has this cool mix of country BBQ joint meets city energy.
It’s not huge, but it’s comfortable; clean, welcoming, and full of the smell of wood smoke (which, let’s be honest, should be bottled as a candle). There’s something about eating great BBQ in the middle of Rochester that feels a little unexpected in the best way. You can tell the folks running the place love what they do, and that always makes the food taste better.
It’s the kind of spot where you can sit down, grab a platter, and forget about everything else for a bit.
Why It’s the Best
BBQ is one of those things people take personally, everyone’s got an opinion on what makes it “authentic.” But at the end of the day, good BBQ comes down to two things: time and care.
REV BBQ Outpost has both.
From the brisket bark to the house-made sausage, everything feels intentional. It’s comfort food that doesn’t try too hard, and it’s exactly what you want when that smoky craving hits.
So if you’re in Rochester and you’re looking for real BBQ, not “BBQ-inspired,” not “smoked for five minutes then finished in an oven,” get yourself over to REV BBQ Outpost.
Grab the two-meat platter, add the mac and collards, and thank yourself later.
📍1290 University Ave., Rochester, NY
Follow them on Instagram: @revbbq_roc
Don’t forget to mark your calendars and celebrate more great eats across New York State with our 2nd Annual Eat Local New York Restaurant Week presented by The Summit Federal Credit Union.
