I love Hot Off The Coals because i love the smoky flavor of the meats and plus i know almost everybody there

I am a local of the Eastern Shore and only come here on the days that I do not have time to smoke my own BBQ. If you want passable BBQ, come here. If you want amazing BBQ, come here several times because the quality is highly hit-or-miss. The food won't win any competitions and is nothing compared to southern and BBQ, but I still enjoy my meal. However, the serving sizes are a joke. I have been fortunate enough to eat all different sorts of BBQ from all stretches of the country, and this restaurant is by far the skimpiest of anything else I've had in the country. Calling it skimpy is too nice, it is beyond ridiculous how the owners can expect to remain in business with serving sizes lacking the way that they do. When you visit parts of the country that are saturated with BBQ joints, you have to be fair in your servings and price in order to keep your doors open otherwise the customer will go to one of their other options. Being that this is the only BBQ place on the Eastern Shore other than The BBQ Joint in Easton, Hot Off the Coals can get away with ripping off their customers. Serving this little food for the price being charged will prevent a family from coming here unless they are willing to spend $14-20 per person for passable BBQ from a "hole-in-the-wall". I personally can justify spending the extra money here due to the fact that I am a bachelor with a bachelor budget and occasionally (a few times a year) want an easy meal that is close to home when I get off work. However if you are looking to get the best bang for your buck, stop reading this review and don't even consider coming to Hot Off the Coals. Three 3oz styrofoam containers of cold meat is not acceptable when you pay what you do for a 3 meat sampler, especially when your cooks aren't properly trimming your meat and serving big chunks of fat on occasion. The pork ribs (no clarification of what cut of pork rib is provided) are so hit and miss that you don't want to risk ordering a whole rack for $24 only to be disappointed. The first time I had the ribs, they weren't bad, although I question how much they were actually smoked because they tasted like oven country ribs that have been previously boiled. The second time they were so dry that I am almost certain that these ribs are barely smoked and then put in the oven for an extended period of time to keep them warm until an order is placed. I say this because several neighbors have experienced this same complaint with the ribs being too dry. Sauce is absolutely necessary with these ribs, but for the price you come to expect flavorful, fall off of the bone ribs that require no sauce. The pit beef, pulled pork and brisket are all worth trying if you are passing through, although the brisket can be hit or miss as well in both flavor and dryness. I have to admit, the baked beans are some of the best I have ever tasted. Too bad that they are also served in the same 3oz serving size. Due to the price that I have to pay for 3oz styrofoam containers of BBQ, beans and slaw, I ONLY come here to feed myself when I am wiling to spend the money due to the convenience of a less than 1 mile trip. When I order a sampler platter, I am always sure to order a sandwich or some other additional item as well. I really do hope that the owners can make adjustments to the portions as well as the quality control of what they serve, because this little hole-in-the-wall has charm. I'm rooting for them, but not expecting miracles as nothing has changed since they first came to town. If the owners of this establishment ever happen to read this review: Have some pride in your business and find a way to better serve your customer. Read the Yelp reviews which all highlight this restaurants shortcomings. Locals want you to stay in business, but you are isolating your market with charging so much for so little food.

This is a regular lunch stop for us on the way to or from the beach. Not as cheap as you might expect from something attached to a gas station, but not bad BBQ.

Hour's alwaus changing. Don't count on supper they might be closed

too food