About Bill And Essie's Bbq
Discover Bill And Essie's Bbq, a standout smokehouse at 301 E Main St, Marion, KS 66861, United States. As a food blogger, I am always drawn to places with a strong local identity, and Bill And Essie's Bbq in Marion feels exactly like that kind of destination: personal, community-rooted, and built around real barbecue craft. The restaurant opened its kitchen in early 2024 and completed its dining room later that summer, giving downtown Marion a dedicated barbecue spot with a story behind it. Chef Daryl Jones developed his skills in the Kansas City barbecue scene before bringing that experience back to Marion, and that influence shows in the restaurant’s barbecue-first personality and rotating daily specials such as Fish Fridays and Meatloaf Mondays.
What makes Bill And Essie's Bbq unique is that it does not read like a generic small-town grill. Public menu and listing details point to a comfort-food barbecue menu with beer, small plates, lunch and dinner service, plus creative limited-time specials. One recent feature even mentioned loaded pretzel bites being photographed for social media, which suggests the kitchen likes to keep regulars interested with fresh ideas. Prices appear approachable for a casual local restaurant, and the service options include dine-in, takeout, curbside pickup, outdoor seating, and catering. Bill And Essie's Bbq also offers practical amenities such as free parking, wheelchair-accessible facilities, high chairs, and a kids’ menu, which adds to its appeal for families and groups.
When it comes to signature dishes, brisket is the item that seems to generate the most praise. A recent customer review described “incredible BBQ with amazing brisket, homemade sandwich buns, and flavorful sauces,” which is exactly the kind of feedback that catches a food lover’s attention. Another dish worth highlighting is the pulled pork sandwich, which has appeared as a special topped with smoked gouda, wonton strips, and coffee barbecue sauce. That combination sounds inventive without losing its barbecue soul. I would also put the loaded pretzel bites on the must-try list, simply because they reflect the restaurant’s playful side and willingness to move beyond the expected platter-only format.
Customer sentiment is especially encouraging. Bill And Essie's Bbq holds a 4.7 rating from dozens of reviews on one business listing, while Restaurant Guru’s summary highlights praise such as, “Who knew you could find such good BBQ in small town Kansas.” Tripadvisor’s summary is smaller but still positive, calling it “Amazing BBQ.” Those comments suggest that Bill And Essie's Bbq in Marion succeeds where it matters most: smoke, flavor, and consistency.
The atmosphere sounds casual, cozy, and unmistakably local rather than polished or formal. That is part of the charm. Bill And Essie's Bbq in Marion offers one of those local dining experiences where the food, the owners’ story, and the community connection all work together. If you are searching for one of the best restaurants in Marion and want barbecue with heart, Bill And Essie's Bbq is well worth the stop. Come hungry, try the brisket, and enjoy a meal that feels genuinely rooted in Kansas small-town hospitality.
Location
Opening Time
Bill And Essie's Bbq Services
From the business
- Identifies as Black-owned
- Identifies as women-owned
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- Kerbside pickup
- Takeaway
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Highlights
- Serves local specialty
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Assistive hearing loop
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Comfort food
- Quick bite
- Small plates
Dining options
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Seating
Amenities
- Toilet
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cosy
- Quiet
Crowd
- Family friendly
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Locals
- Tourists
- Transgender safe space
Payments
- Cheques
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
- Has changing table(s)
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
Parking
- Free of charge street parking
- Free parking lot
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Bill And Essie's Bbq Gallery
Customer Reviews
“ We were looking for authentic BBQ, and wow, this place was perfect! The ribs were the highlight for me. The brisket, chicken, fried okra and pickles were all so good, along with a great variety of home made sauces. The town is really cute and the central park is perfect for a walk. ”
“ Best BBQ I have had! If your in Junction City or Riley, IT IS WORTH THE DRIVE! Told Daryl, the owner my only suggestion would be get disposable bibs with the name on it as my sandwich was juicy not dry...his rubs & 3 sauces... had the wicked that is his middle spicy sauce...are really good... like I said, worth the drive from Ft Riley! ”
“ We ordered the 1/2 rib rack and the two meat platter. Both of us chose green beans and cole slaw as our sides. The ribs were fall off the bone delicious with great flavor. The two meats I chose were pulled pork and brisket. Both meats were tender and flavorful. The host was sweet and very helpful. Drink choices were canned pop, unsweetened iced tea and lemonade. We were more than satisfied with the portions. In fact, my husband had to bring home a couple of the ribs that he couldn’t eat because he was so stuffed! The owner (wife) was very friendly. Despite the fact that we live 30 minutes from Bill and Essie’s we will make this our “to-go-to” when looking for a place to eat. We highly recommend Bill and Essie’s! ”
“ Up front- Great food! The sausage (which was suggested) was phenomenal, brisket cut was great and the shredded pork was on point! So I was passing through small town Kansas on my way back home and wanted something local. This little joint did not disappoint! The food is great! I stopped for a to go meal and for the price I felt like I got a good plump of food. My complaint or reason for lower grade, server seemed a bit lost and didnt realize till got home, I didnt get my Mac and cheese bowl but again..partially on me for not checking before leaving. I would still recommend and stop again! ”
“ Absolutely amazing BBQ!! The ribs were "fall off the bone" delicious, the pulled pork was so good, & the cheesy potatoes & coleslaw were awesome!! We had the homemade chips & cheese sauce as an appetizer & we couldn't stop eating them! ”
“ I got the three sliders (slider flight) and a side of Mac n cheese. I also got an iced tea and requested sweet tea and it was perfect. I chose the meats: sausage (+$1), pulled pork, and brisket ($3). I chose the three sauces respectively: yellow stuff (mustard based), ruby stuff (Kansas bbq), and wicked stuff (spicy bbq). My absolute favorite is the brisket. It had a great smoky flavor and was incredibly tender and delicious. The buns are soft but keep their integrity. The Mac n cheese is pretty good and the size is good as a small side. If you find yourself in Marion, give Bill and Essie’s a try! ”
“ Four of us on a day trip stopped here for lunch. What a nice surprise! The food was amazing! The staff were friendly, the environment was nice and the prices were reasonable. Tell them you’d like to try all their sauces and ask for your sauce on the side. We each ordered something different and we were all very happy with our meal. Wish I wasn’t just driving through. It’s definitely worthy of repeat visits. ”
“ My friend and I accidentally stumbled on the restaurant. WOW it was one of the best BBQ restaurants I’ve had!! Sandwiches were nicely loaded and so flavorful!! Fried okra was crispy and seasoned, fried pickles were slivers and I couldn’t quit eating them!! I dipped those in the “white sauce”, They have 4 signature sauces, each unique and very delicious!!! The seasoning they use was also amazing! When they start bottling I’m buying!! Definitely a restaurant you want to come and check out!! ”
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