Mission BBQ opened in Sicklerville in December 2024, next to the Shoppes at Cross Keys in Gloucester Township. The establishment is one of a growing number in South Jersey, with another Mission BBQ expected to open in Cherry Hill. There are already locations in Deptford and Marlton.
Mission BBQ is a decidedly American barbeque restaurant. Its catchphrase, “the American way,” immediately reinforces this idea from the moment you enter. They have an American flag stand towering over the property, akin to what you would expect from one on public school grounds. In the parking lot, American flags wave on a gigantic truck with the smoker, and another flag waves in the middle of the dining area as contemporary American country music plays in the background. Needless to say, Mission BBQ is not afraid to show its devotion to the nation.
Mission BBQ is also dedicated to promoting the stories of emergency providers and military members. Since its founding in 2011, Mission BBQ has donated $25 million to charities supporting these providers. In Sicklerville and in their locations across the country, all of the interior walls are thoroughly covered with badges from providers, some local to the area and others from other states; portraits of providers; displays of uniforms; and more. Quotes and creeds fill up what space the badges and portraits do not. The restaurant’s interior also has a surprising amount of rustic elements. The tables, chairs, and booths are all made of a similar type of wood, and the various shades of brown of the walls–from tan to a light cream color–add to the rustic-ness.
My family and I arrived at the restaurant on a Sunday at 1 p.m. This was the prime time to be at the restaurant since there was virtually no one there. Service was so fast that as soon as we sat down, our food was already done. The vibe inside was genial–the waiters and cooks always made sure to say, “Hi, folks!” to customers coming in, and the waiter in charge of the dining room was friendly and willing to help.
When you enter the restaurant, a soda bar is the first thing you see to your left. The bar includes various branded sodas and bottled water all submerged in chunks of ice. You order and pay right at the cashier, meaning you can be on your way once you finish your food.
My family and I focused mainly on the meats they offer; we ordered the 5-Bone Baby Back Ribs, the Salmon, the Smoked Cheeseburger, and the Brisket Sandwich. Every dish came with a side of Fresh Cut Fries (which we requested), and some with a side of cornbread. The ribs were delectable and very enjoyable. They fell right off the bone and were tender. I was surprised at just how soft the ribs were; it took me barely any effort to get at the meat. The ribs themselves had a sweeter, smoky taste. There was some light seasoning, but not an excessive amount to overpower the taste of the meat. The Fresh Cut Fries turned out amazing. Not only could I tell that the fries were made in-house, but they had a great fry to them–giving them a nice crunch– and were salted nicely. They complimented every dish we tried there. The cornbread was good; its texture and taste were about what you would expect. The smoked Salmon was another favorite of mine. The Salmon had a sort of spice rub that gave the dish a much-needed kick to prevent it from tasting too dry; it was also just generally juicy. In a similar vein, the Smoked Cheeseburger was delightful. The assembly of the burger was customizable, thanks to the lettuce, tomato, and pickles coming on the side. The meat was cooked around medium and tasted great, pairing well with everything else. The Brisket Sandwich was alright. It pairs best with condiments provided on the table, but it did not wow me in any way.
While we were eating, the waiter gave us free brownies and a free Frostie cream soda–a welcome gift from Mission BBQ for dining with them for the first time. This was a pleasant surprise, made even better by the spectacular taste and texture of the brownie. The brownie was rich in flavor; it emitted a kind of fragrance in my mouth when I took a bite of it. That fragrance was initially startling, but it contributed nicely to the sweetness of the brownie. The texture had the perfect kind of crumble–it was obvious that they made this in-house as well.
I had a great time at Mission BBQ. The food was sublime and the service was particularly good. The meal was reasonably priced at over 80 dollars for all that we ordered. We felt very comfortable in the restaurant, despite it being our first time. We plan on going back in the future to keep trying their food and their amiable company.
