I Finally Tried This Concord BBQ Spot… Now I Get the Hype

You know those places you try once… and immediately start thinking about when you can go back?

That was my experience at 603 BBQ in Concord... Authentic Texas BBQ.  Oh, YES! I'm going back.  Gimme all of the BBQ!

I have heard people talk about this place, “you’ve gotta try it,” “best BBQ around,” all the usual hype, but you never really know until you show up and take that first bite.

And yeah… I get it now.

And honestly, once you know the backstory, it makes even more sense why it’s so good. The owner, Ben Normandeau, actually went down to Texas to learn authentic BBQ from the source, working at a Texas Monthly Top 50 spot called, Zavala's Barbecue.

So when people say “this tastes legit”… it’s because it is. He didn’t guess his way into this, he learned it from the people who’ve been doing it at the highest level, then brought it back to Concord.

This isn’t one of those places that tries to do too much. It’s focused. Smoked meats done right, the way they’re supposed to be, low, slow, and with actual flavor. The kind of flavor that doesn’t need to be covered up with sauce (but let’s be honest, the sauce doesn’t hurt either).

I got there about 15 minutes before they opened at noon and there was already a line of 25 people waiting.  I waited patiently because it's BBQ and if what I hear is right, then it'll be worth the wait.  They are working out of their food truck until the build out is done on the restaurant, so things move a little bit slower, but I'm ok with that.

I actually rehearsed my order a hundred times in my head so when I got up to order and didn't stand there looking at the menu.  "Sampler platter with Prime Brisket, Pulled Pork and Jalapeno and Cheese sausage.  Sides... Mac n cheese, coleslaw and cornbread. Oh and a root beer please." Even the guy taking my order said... 'have you been here before cause you ordered like a seasoned pro?" Nope, just had time to practice, LOL!

The brisket is the star for sure. Tender, smoky, and not dried out and a great smoke ring, which, if you’ve had bad brisket before, you know is everything. You take a bite and immediately understand why people keep recommending this place. The sausage was juicy and full of flavor.  The pulled pork was moist, tender and perfect.  I kept being told to get the Beef Cheek Barbacoa, but I didn't have anymore room.  Next time.

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But what stood out to me just as much? The sides and the sauce

Because let’s be real, bad sides can ruin a BBQ spot. That’s not the case here. The sides actually feel like part of the experience, not just something thrown on the plate.

And the overall vibe? Super chill. No frills, no trying to be something it’s not. Just a solid local spot that clearly cares about what they’re putting out.

If you’re anywhere near Concord and even remotely into BBQ, this is one of those places you need to try at least once.

Fair warning though… it probably won’t be just once.  It's worth the drive.