Riverfront Barbeque & Grille

Riverfront Barbeque & Grille takes the barbecue template and stretches it. You'll find Memphis-style dry-rub ribs anchoring the menu, but they also sling pan-fried haddock, Italian sausage, and jalapeño cornbread. The crowd skews toward folks who want their barbecue served in a polished setting, with dim lighting, jazz playing daily, and a full bar that takes itself seriously.

• Memphis-style ribs with strong dry rub.
• Jalapeño cornbread that regulars want to reorder.
• Portions large enough to take home leftovers.
• Jazz music and polished, sophisticated dining room.

Start with the chili and nachos or the house salad if you want something lighter. The barbecue sampler gives you pulled pork, brisket, and a full rack of ribs in one sitting. Pan-fried haddock is a solid detour from the smoke if you're not in a pure barbecue mood. The jalapeño cornbread appears on multiple plates and shows up as a standalone request. Mac and cheese rounds out most orders, though results seem inconsistent.

Polished and dim, with black booths and white string lights in the windows. Jazz plays seven days a week. It reads upscale rather than casual, and noise levels stay moderate.

Portion sizes run large, and prices reflect the polish of the room. The barbecue sampler lets you taste ribs, pulled pork, and brisket on one plate, though consistency can vary. Desserts stay off the main menu, so ask your server what's available. Service tends to be attentive once you're seated, and fresh soda comes with free refills.

Guests rave about portion sizes and pulled pork that avoids excess fat. One recent visitor called it a perfect lunch stop. A server named Bridget gets consistent praise for her attentiveness. Some diners have noted dryness in ribs or brisket on repeat visits, and a few felt dishes tasted reheated rather than freshly made.