Racks of ribs at Bubba's Shanghai

True Blue American Barbecue at Bubba’s Food Co.

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This venue has closed and is now Parlay, also serving American BBQ.


Bubba’s Food Co. opened October last year in Shankang Li, a new F&B hub in Jing’an. Bubba’s is one of the oldest names in town—it’s been here for 15 years! This is where you go for good ol’ Texan barbecue.

Bubba’s Food Co, a restaurant for American barbecue in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence

About Bubba’s Food Co.

Bubba’s Food Co, a restaurant for American barbecue in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence

If you’ve lived in Shanghai long enough, you’ve probably heard of Bubba’s or its founder Ken Walker. The two are synonymous. Ken has been running Bubba’s since 2006, serving up Texas barbecue, Tex-Mex and Southern comfort food.

Bubba’s Food Co, a restaurant for American barbecue in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence
Bubba’s Food Co, a restaurant for American barbecue in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence

Ken has been championing real barbecue in Shanghai, and his latest incarnation of Bubba’s does just that. And it’s all made possible with a couple of self-designed smokers. Two of these heavy-duty tankards stand guard at the entrance, while the third sits by the kitchen.

Bubba’s Food Co, a restaurant for American barbecue in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence

Order Up! What To Eat

The fine-tuning of Bubba’s barbecue over the last six months has yielded some really tasty stuff. The ribs, which were good before, are now excellent. The house-cased sausages are the stuff of dreams, and the brisket, in all its glory, is succulent.

Here’s what you should order:

Bubba’s Food Co, a restaurant for American barbecue in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence
Barbecue Mixed Platter (¥288) – Your best bet is the mixed platter. It comes with two ribs, one sausage, 200g of brisket and two sides. (The above image is a double order!)
Bubba’s Food Co, a restaurant for American barbecue in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence
USDA Prime Beef Brisket (¥188) for 300g, includes one side dish.
Bubba’s Food Co, a restaurant for American barbecue in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence
St. Louis Cut USDA Pork Ribs, ¥158 for four ribs and one side. My favorite from the mixed platter. Smoky meat that falls off the bone.
Bubba’s Food Co, a restaurant for American barbecue in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence
Texas Hot Gut Beef Sausage (¥98) – 200g of thick house-cased links, comes with one side. Peppery, mildly spicy and juicy.
Bubba’s Food Co, a restaurant for American barbecue in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence
Smokin’ Good Drummies (¥68) – A steal for these deliciously smoky chicken drumlets. Must-order. Served with blue cheese and veggie sticks.
Bubba’s Food Co, a restaurant for American barbecue in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence
Potato Salad (¥35) – Creamy and dense.
Bubba’s Food Co, a restaurant for American barbecue in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence
Texas Slaw (¥35) – Bright, citrusy slaw with a crunch. (I want a bucket load of this.)
Bubba’s Food Co, a restaurant for American barbecue in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence
The Fried Cheese, Cheese Burger (¥88) – This is a monster of a burger. It’s a tower of house-ground USDA beef (150g), a slab of fried! cheddar cheese, smoked pepper aioli, lettuce, tomato and red onion. It’s a burger that you have to get involved in.
Bubba’s Food Co, a restaurant for American barbecue in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence
Jalapeño Poppers (¥48) – Fire-roasted peppers stuffed with cheese, breaded and deep-fried.
Bubba’s Food Co, a restaurant for American barbecue in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence
They also have tacos. This is the Famous Matador (¥30) – Hash browns, spicy ground beef, runny fried egg, house hot sauce.

Drinks situation: beers from ¥35 (happy hour from ¥25), wines by the glass from ¥45, cocktails from ¥55. Happy hour is Monday to Friday from 5-8pm.

Texans swear by Bubba’s. Having never been to Texas, I can’t really compare. But I find it’s pretty darn good. Haven’t had good barbecue before? Pop your cherry at Bubba’s.

There’s also a weekend brunch menu and the venue is dog-friendly.


Bubba’s Food Co.
Address: Rm 103, Bldg 18, Shankang Li, 808 Shaanxi Bei Lu, near Kangding Lu 陕西北路808号18号楼103室, 近康定路
Tel: 62730283
Hours: 11:30am-11pm, closed on Mondays

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