I’m a tough judge of barbeque. As a native of southern Midwest cities such as Omaha and Kansas City, where barbecue is viewed as a badge of civic pride, I’ve had my fair share of some of the best barbecue in the country.

I’m unashamed to say I’ve waited two hours for a seat in a barbeque restaurant in Kansas City, Missouri.

It’s certainly something I’ve missed since moving to Cleveland, and I’ve been in search of those diamond-in-the-rough barbeque joints for a while.

Just recently, City Barbeque opened on Chagrin Boulevard. I was enthralled. I needed to get a taste for myself.

Before entering the restaurant, I took a good look at their website. I was comforted by the word “authentic” on their homepage. Unfortunately, not many barbeque joints use that word any more. The real deal is smoked for hours, days even.

You should be able to smell the food from outside the restaurant during the early hours of the day. The workers wake up bright and early to make sure it’s fresh for customers—not microwaved, slapped in a basket and handed through your car window.

City Barbeque does perfectly well in that respect, but it differs from the traditional restaurant in that it’s comparable to Chipotle or Five Guys. It has a very casual set-up; there’s a counter you order from, and you seat yourself.

I have a hard time deciding whether I like this or not. On the one hand, the real experience is waiting a minimum of forty-five minutes just to be seated and another hour for your food. On the other hand, it’s appealing because if you’re having barbeque cravings, it’s quick and easy to satisfy them.

I was incredibly pleased with City Barbeque’s way of serving food. Their casual, open atmosphere is really characteristic of a traditional barbeque restaurant, which Beachwood needs considering how much we lack in good food.

Walking into the restaurant with my family, we were greeted by fumes of smoky meat billowing from stove vents.

Friendly workers welcomed us and made us feel at home—another bonus. The line was rather long, but thankfully it wasn’t a boring wait. The friendly demeanor of the people, the interior of the restaurant and the enthusiasm of the workers entertained us from the start.

The lady who ran the register—a large, very joyful woman—saw how massive our family was and gave us a huge discount. I have three younger brothers, making a total of six people to feed (three of whom are growing teenagers).

While I can’t promise such intense discounts every time you dine with City Barbeque, my family got away with a $50 bill on this specific night. That’s insane for my family. Normal outings for us cost a minimum of $70. Even better? It was the best food we’ve had during our two years in Cleveland.

Like I said, I’ve had my fair share of good barbeque. But that night was awesome. We got the “mother load,” which includes bits of everything they offer: ribs, chicken, pork, ham—the whole deal. So, I had it all, plus cornbread and their vinegar coleslaw.

Their sauces included options perfect for every taste. We tried all of them, and their “cherry” flavor in particular was fantastic. They were very unique sauces, with something for everyone on the taste spectrum of savory to sweet. It was perfect, especially for a family of infamously picky eaters.

Bottom line: try it. It’s well priced, has a positive atmosphere and I guarantee you will walk out of that place with a full stomach.