Metro Detroit: Livonia’s Bad Brad’s BBQ
We love good BBQ, I mean who doesn’t? This weeks destination is definitely one worth talking about. They opened their Livonia location back in the Spring of this year, over 2 years after announcing they were coming . . . Thanks Covid! While it took a while to get open it was worth the wait. Who are we talking about? Well of course it’s Bad Brads BBQ. Since we are avid BBQ fans, we are not new to Bad Brads. They now have 4 other locations: Clinton Township, New Baltimore, Shelby Township, Orion Township.
Bad Brads was founded in 2009, by owners Michael Pollard & Brad Teagan, in New Baltimore, Michigan. In 2012, they opened their own production facility in Clinton Twp, where they make items that “travel well” such as barbecue sauces and rubs. The production facility has since moved into a 6,000-square-foot facility, where take-out is also served. The company also has its own “university” at the production facility that includes classroom style areas where new and existing employees go through training to ensure repeatability and consistency.
We let all the hype pass, at this new Livonia location, before we decided check them out. When they first opened, you couldn’t get near the place for the first couple of weeks. They are located in the old Leather Bottle restaurant on Farmington Rd just before 8 Mile, it is a spacious place with plenty of parking. The outside of the building is just as beautiful and unique as the inside!
Now on to the food. Like I said I am a self-labeled BBQ snob. I know the ins and outs of how to make, what I consider, good smoked meats. While a lot of places try . . . there are only a few that I would consider legitimate. Bad Brads is legitimate!
Their ribs are cooked to perfection! Not fall of the bone, but bite off the bone tender. That’s the way ribs are supposed to be! They are one of the few places that offers burnt ends. Not just any burnt ends . . . Pork Belly burnt ends, which are so tender, juicy and delicious. Served in a tiny cast iron skillet with tortillas, dill pickle slices, pickled red onion and smoked jalapenos, to make mini sandwiches.
They also have an appetizer featuring their smoked chicken wings, ribs and their famous Pig Candy (candied bacon)
Their BBQ nachos are another big hit. Made with pulled chicken, cheddar cheese, smoked bacon, scallions, smokey jalapeno sauce, sweet BBQ sauce and ranch on corn tortillas…YUM!!!
Their meals come with 2 sides. We don’t usually talk about sides, but a few of theirs are worth mentioning. You can get a side sampler of your choice of 3 sides for $10.95. We love their cornbread, it is moist and delicious. They cook it in mini cast iron skillets to give the edges a nice crisp. Their 4 cheese mac & cheese and BBQ chowder are also very delicious. We have not tried the rest of their sides but they all look so good.
Bad Brad’s BBQ is located at 20300 Farmington Rd, in Livonia, between 7 Mile & 8 Mile. They are closed on Mondays. Hours are Tuesday thru Thursday, 11 AM to 9 PM, Friday 11 AM to 10 PM, Saturday 12 PM to 10 PM and Sunday 12 PM to 9 PM.
Until next week . . . live well, eat well, and enjoy life!
-Keith & Teresa Becker