Rubbin' Butts BBQ in Center Harbor, NH, is more than just a barbecue restaurant; it’s an experience that keeps diners coming back for more. Customers rave about the welcoming atmosphere, where the friendly staff makes you feel like old friends. The menu features a wide selection of mouthwatering options, from the B.B.B. sandwich stacked with pork, brisket, and sausage to the tender brisket and comforting house-made mac & cheese, all generously portioned and reasonably priced. Reviewers consistently highlight the juicy, fall-off-the-bone ribs and flavorful sides like the famous Southwest Corn Chowder and expertly crafted broccoli salad. Chef and former BBQ joint owner David Romaine echoes this sentiment, affirming the authenticity and quality of the fare, alongside the care put into every dish—from succulent pulled pork to the perfectly balanced mustard BBQ sauce. The inviting atmosphere, efficient service, and stunning lake views add to the overall dining experience, making Rubbin' Butts BBQ a standout destination. Whether you're indulging in a solo meal or bringing friends along, this culinary gem is sure to impress with its superb BBQ mastery and heartfelt hospitality.
Amenities and More
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers kerbside pickup
On-site services available
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
No delivery
Highlights
Has fast service
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has catering
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Crowd
Good for groups
Popular with tourists
Planning
Doesn't accept reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs available
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Plenty of parking
Pets
Dogs allowed outside
Photos
Reviews For Rubbin' Butts BBQ
Meg Tomes
May 21,2025
Amy, Rocco, and Jordan are absolutely amazing! Friendly atmosphere. Feels like you walk in seeing old time friends. Food I can’t stop eating. Tried Rocco’s Cowboy candy and can personally say who doesn’t like spice I loved it. And their Southwest Corn chowder is definitely something to write home about. Let’s just say definitely worth a trip.
Trudy Davis
Apr 30,2025
Fantastic....the ribs fall off the bone and the beans are some of the best I've ever had. Everything is fresh, the place is super clean and we spoke with really friendly staff!
Tim Forest
Apr 16,2025
I had an amazing experience at Rubbin' Butts BBQ! I ordered the brisket with mac and cheese, and both were absolutely delicious—tender, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. The service was impressively fast, and the staff was friendly and attentive. The prices are fair, especially considering the generous portions and the quality of the food. There’s also a great variety of menu options to choose from, so there’s something for everyone. Plus, the view of the lake adds a relaxing touch to the whole experience. I’ll definitely be coming back. Highly recommend!
John Moscillo
Apr 2,2025
I was passing through Center Harbor And popped in for lunch, and I am very happy that I did. I found a cute clean barbecue joint that served up excellent barbecue loaded with flavor and was juicy. I ordered the RBBBQ platter, which was more than enough for one person and could easily be split by two. High-quality brisket, rib juicy and tender with a nice bark. The kielbasa melted in your mouth and the pulled pork was great. Bonus is they had mustard barbecue sauce. Winning.
David Romaine
Mar 4,2025
As a chef & former BBQ joint owner, I can verify that these guys are doing it RIGHT!! I felt like I was tasting my own recipes and you can taste the love that was not only put into the meat, but the delectable sides as well. The broccoli salad had the tangy/crunchy/sweet that hits the spot. The Mac & Cheese was perfect...my daughter wants to drive back up just for more Mac... We ordered the Dinner for 4 with Brisket and you get a little bit of everything (easily makes 2 days of meals). Came with extra sauces and high quality containers. I can't say enough how they've thought of everything and just done it the right way. We love the name, but this joint is so much more than just a catchy name. Drove up from Tilton to grab lunch, I would gladly drive across the state for Rubbin' Butts BBQ again!
Marlene Brown
Feb 17,2025
My husband ordered the brisket, ribs, chicken, slaw, and potato salad. I ordered the chicken, pulled pork, mac n' cheese and pickles. Both meals came with cornbread. We also sampled both sauces ( sweet and spicy). We will definitely be going back.
Danielf Ferguson
Feb 17,2025
Went to Rubbin’ Butts with my best friend/ son Mark who recently purchased a house in Meredith!! I’ve been to a few barbecue places lately but this is the best I have tasted! If you like barbecue then you know it’s always an expensive treat! Rubbin’ Butts is juicy, tasty and oh so good ! The price is actually pretty good for the amount of barbecue you get ! The brisket , sausage, chicken and ribs were out of this world ! Can’t wait to go back with my son ! Of all the reviews I have given , this is one of the few (5) stars !
Margaret Honan
Feb 12,2025
We did take out of various items and absolutely loved it all. Local gem whether you need a quick lunch or dinner or you need to feed the family or food for an event. A must stop if you're in the area.
Reviews For Rubbin' Butts BBQ