Bluestone American BBQ

The Verdict

Well howdy, partner. What's a BBQ restaurant like you doing in a place like this?

Okay, we'll stop there. If you like deep southern flavours—that all-American, slow-cooked, tangy barbecue goodness—you'll be digging Coburg's new venue: Bluestone American BBQ.  

“Low and slow” is the house motto here, and it's brought to life by the monster wrought-iron, reverse-flow smoker, packing in all the flavours from the wee early hours of the day. Inside you 'll find Texas-style Angus beef brisket, slow-cooked for fourteen hours and smothered in house sauce. Unsurprisingly, the brisket is a hot ticket item with meat-hungry Coburg locals. 

Husband and wife duo, Al and Amanda Malel are the powerhouses behind Bluestone, and they're eager to share everything with Melbourne’s avid BBQ enthusiasts.

On the menu, there’s everything from sandwiches to burgers to sticky beef back ribs, cooked twice for flavour and coated in a blanket of caramel chipotle. But if you find yourself spoilt for choice, Al’s Pitmaster’s Picks provide handpicked feeds for one, two or three people.

Pick 3 will have you unbuttoning your jeans with a selection of ribs, fried chicken, lamb, pork, and all your favourite sides like slaw and deep-fried mac and cheese. With a minimum of three people, you’ll have each other to support when the inevitable food coma hits you hard.

But it’s not all about the smoky goodness. Bluestone also serves up a mean Cuban sandwich with pork, ham, yellow mustard, cheddar, and a dill pickle on a brioche bun. Or if fried chook is more your thing, there’s buttermilk fried chicken and Applewood chicken chops with Alabama white sauce.

Doors open at 5pm ‘til 9pm from Tuesday to Thursday and midday on weekends. 

Image credit: Michelle Jarni