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Just Q'in BBQ Announces Opening Day for New College Hill Restaurant

The barbecue joint will have some soft-opening hours ahead of its official opening in January.

Dec 15, 2023 at 2:45 pm

Matt Cuff with Just Q'in BBQ Photo: Lindsay McCarty

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A popular barbecue joint is gearing up to open its new location in the College Hill Business District. Just Q’in BBQ says it will officially open at 5903 Hamilton Ave. on Tuesday, Jan. 2 and will hold a grand opening on Saturday, Jan. 6 from 10-11 a.m.

"Just Q'in BBQ's grand opening is a significant milestone for College Hill,” Kate Greene, CEO of the College Hill Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation (CURC), said in a press release. “Their presence enriches the cultural and culinary tapestry of our community, bringing a unique flavor to the neighborhood. We are confident they will have a profound impact on our vibrant business district!"

Best known for its Texas-style BBQ that wooed President Joe Biden when he visited the Walnut Hills establishment in January 2023, Just Q’in has been building up excitement in the community with a series of pop-ups, and it’ll also operate on some soft-opening hours this weekend and next. The restaurant will be open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner from 5-9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 15-16 and Friday and Saturday, Dec. 22-23.

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Official hours once Just Q’in opens in January will be lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner from 5-9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

"We are thrilled to officially open our doors in College Hill,” owner Matt Cuff said in the release. “Our journey here has been guided by faith, love and BBQ, and we are ready to share that passion with the wonderful people of College Hill. Let the smoke rise and the flavors ignite — it's time to celebrate!"

The restaurant also plans to expand into the adjacent space at Dow’s Corner in 2024.

Just Q’in BBQ, 5903 Hamilton Ave., College Hill. More info: justqin.com.

Slideshow

21 Greater Cincinnati BBQ Joints You Need to Try Before You Die

Velvet Smoke BBQ5626 Cheviot Road, White OakVelvet Smoke BBQ has been serving the Cincinnati community with award-winning, championship barbecue since 2012 after a competition barbecue team decided to follow their passion and cater to a larger audience of barbecue lovers. You can get that championship-quality barbecue on a sandwich, as part of a classic barbecue plate (served with a piece of garlic bread) or as meat by the pound. All their sides are scratch-made and you can order their barbecue sauces (ranging from the mild Sweet & Tangy to the hot PitFire) as half-pints, pints and quarts.

Eli’s BBQ133 W. Elder St., Over-the-Rhine; 3313 Riverside Drive, Columbia TusculumEli’s has over 15 outdoor picnic tables for dining, both in the sun and the shade. Celebrate a warm afternoon with a cold brew and some delicious barbecue, like their pulled pork sandwich with a slide of jalapeño cheddar grits and baked beans. Bring your own beer and enjoy the warmth by the river.

Ollie’s Trolley1607 Central Ave., West EndLocated in a bright yellow and red trolley car, Ollie’s Trolley is a soul food staple in Cincinnati. This little trolley serves a variety of smoked meats, including ribs, turkey tips and pulled pork, plus metts and burgers. They also offer plenty of sides, like collard greens, buttered corn and potato salad. For dessert, get a slice of their lemon pound cake or chess pie, or take a whole pie or cake home to share.

Pig Candy BBQ5901 Kellogg Ave., CaliforniaServing up food so good it’s criminal, Pig Candy BBQ offers a menu of craft barbecue, homemade sauces and inventive sides from their location in a former jail. Meats are smoked on-site and the sides and sauces are made from scratch. Specialties include their Pig Candy Waffle (a gluten-free waffle pressed with pulled pork, topped with maple peach glaze and served with Pig Candy’s tangy white sauce on the side); mac ‘n cheese topped with pulled pork, the sweet and sour red sauce and slaw; and a sampler so you can try a little bit of everything.

Goodies BBQ7440 Hamilton Ave., Mt. HealthyGoodies knows their pork butt: pit-smoked slowly ’til the fat has completely dissolved and a crunchy, caramelized crust has formed on the outside. Lip-smackin’ rib tips and Buffalo wings are complemented by standard Southern sides of collard greens, red beans and rice or mac & cheese. For those not tempted by the sauce, there’s the fish or fried okra. Peach cobbler, sweet potato pie and chess pie are available for dessert.

Incline Smoke Shack7391 Forbes Road, Sayler ParkIncline Smoke Shack serves up its handcrafted barbecue from a food truck permanently parked outside 13 Below Brewery in Sayler Park. Stop by for one of their insanely good barbecue sandwiches like their smoked turkey club, topped with bacon, lettuce, tomato and their cranberry walnut spread, or the chopped brisket, which is tossed with caramelized onions. Sides include favorites like Saratoga chips, mac ‘n cheese and housemade pickles, as well as a sweetcorn spoon bread that you can share…but you probably won’t want to. For a cold beverage, stop in 13 Below for a beer or a housemade hard seltzer (we recommend the orange cream).

Alabama Que2733 Short Vine St., CorryvilleAlabama Que was founded by Dwan Ward, a veteran of the U.S. Navy and former UC football player, in 2008. An Alabama native, Ward’s restaurant oozes Southern charm and a food truck was added to the business to keep up with growing demand. Some meat options include smoked chicken, beef ribs, smoked salmon and their famous turkey tips. Add some of their sides like the green beans, yams or mac & cheese for a hearty barbecue meal, and top it all off with a dessert: peach or apple cobbler, lemon or chocolate cake or banana pudding.

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About The Author

Katherine Barrier

Katherine Barrier is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s journalism program and has nearly 10 years of experience reporting local and national news as a digital journalist. At CityBeat, she oversees the digital and social media strategies, edits web and print content and writes for the dining and arts...