If you’re looking for some of the best BBQ near Branson, the answer isn’t on the 76 Strip. It’s out on State Highway 76 in Branson West, under a canopy of shade and Texas pride, at a spot called Come and Take It BBQ Branson. It’s veteran-owned, family-run, and built on a lifetime of slow-smoked Texas barbecue tradition. And if you hit it on a Friday, you might just encounter something you never knew you needed: a smoked Twinkie.
Come and Take It BBQ has earned a 5.0 rating on TripAdvisor and a near-perfect 4.9 across 207 reviews on other platforms — not by accident, but because owners Michelle and her husband bring genuine craft and genuine heart to every single plate. This is the kind of BBQ joint that turns visitors into loyal regulars and gives locals something to be proud of.
Here’s everything you need to know before you go.
The Story Behind Come and Take It BBQ Branson
Michelle grew up in BBQ. Not as a hobby, not as a side project — as a way of life. From the age of seven, she worked alongside her parents in their Texas BBQ business, learning the craft the way it’s meant to be learned: by doing it every day until it’s in your hands and your instincts, as much as any recipe could be.
When the time came to build something of her own, the choice was clear. She and her husband left their Texas roots behind and headed to Missouri, ready to introduce Branson West to the kind of barbecue the Lone Star State has been perfecting for generations. They opened Come and Take It BBQ not long after COVID, part of a wave of people who decided the time was right to start fresh and do what they love.
The name says everything about who they are. “Come and Take It” is one of the most iconic phrases in Texas history, a battle cry from the Texas Revolution that’s become a symbol of independence, resilience, and unapologetic Texas pride. Walk up to the outdoor setup on Highway 76, and you’ll see that spirit reflected in every detail: the patriotic decor, the two-state pride (Texas and Missouri, both equally honored), and the veteran-owned banner that tells you exactly what kind of people you’re buying from.
This is not a chain. This is not a franchise. This is a family, doing what they were born to do, right here in the Ozarks.
The Menu: Texas-Style BBQ, All Made From Scratch
Everything at Come and Take It BBQ is made from scratch. The meats are smoked in-house. The sauces are house-made. There’s nothing pre-packaged hiding behind the counter, and that commitment to doing it the right way is exactly what you taste in every bite.
The Meats
The protein lineup is classic Texas BBQ executed at a high level:
- Brisket — The centerpiece. Sliced to order with the choice of lean or moist cut. Multiple reviews single out the brisket as the standout item, and the burnt ends — when available — generate their own devoted following.
- Pulled Pork — Tender, smoky, and versatile. Available as a platter or as a sandwich.
- Ribs — Fall-off-the-bone and seasoned generously. One reviewer described them as the best she’d ever eaten.
- Smoked Turkey — A surprising standout that earns consistent praise from visitors who ordered it on a whim and were genuinely wowed. The spice rub and juiciness make it a legitimate competition for the brisket.
- Sausage — Sliced and delicious, available alongside the other meats in samplers or on its own.
- BBQ Sandwiches — Pulled pork, chopped beef, and other combinations served on a bun. The “sloppy Joe”-style pork sandwich has earned its own fans at a price point that’s hard to beat.
The Sides
The sides at Come and Take It BBQ punch well above their weight. Don’t treat them as an afterthought:
- Corn Elote — Mexican street-style corn consistently named as a guest favorite and the kind of side that makes you reconsider everything you thought you knew about BBQ sides.
- Mac and Cheese — Creamy, rich, and made to stand alongside serious smoked meats.
- Baked Beans — House-made and deeply flavored.
- Potato Salad — A guest favorite that holds its own against the protein stars of the plate.
- Coleslaw — Made with jalapeños for a kick that sets it apart from the standard side.
- Smoked Chili — Available seasonally and worth ordering if it’s on the board.
The Samplers
The sampler options are the smart way to experience Come and Take It BBQ for the first time. The small sampler covers every meat and every side — past guests report it fed two adults and a baby with leftovers. The large sampler scales up for bigger groups and is genuinely one of the best-value ways to eat BBQ in the Branson area. Order the sampler, find a picnic table, and work through it together.
Friday Special: Smoked Twinkies (No, Really)
Every Friday, Come and Take It BBQ puts something on the menu that stops first-timers mid-order: smoked Twinkies. Yes, the cream-filled sponge cake, run through a smoker, and transformed into something that should not work as well as it does.
This is not a gimmick. It’s a Friday tradition that has developed a genuine following among locals and returning visitors who plan their Branson West days specifically around getting there before they sell out. The sweet-smoke combination is genuinely surprising in the best possible way, and it has become one of the most talked-about food experiences in the area.
If you’re visiting Branson on a Friday, build your afternoon around it. Arrive early — they go quickly.
The Off-Menu Secret: Ask for the Smoked Chicken
Here’s a tip that will make you feel like a local: smoked chicken is not on the regular menu at Come and Take It BBQ. But if you ask — specifically request it when you order — Michelle will often accommodate the request, and those who’ve tried it describe the result as absolutely amazing.
This is the kind of detail that only gets passed along by people who care about the experience they’re pointing others toward. Ask. If it’s available that day, order it. You won’t regret it.
The Vibe: Patriotic, Proud, and Genuinely Welcoming
Come and Take It BBQ is outdoor dining done right. The seating is picnic-table style, a mix of covered and uncovered spots that let you choose between shade and sunshine. There’s room for big groups, small groups, and everything in between. Big fans keep the air moving on warm days, and the whole setup has the relaxed, unhurried energy of a place where the food is the star and nobody’s rushing you out.
The aesthetic is unmistakably patriotic — flags, two-state pride, and the easy confidence of a veteran-owned business that doesn’t need to explain itself. Come and Take It BBQ operates with the kind of straightforwardness that reflects who Michelle and her husband are: proud of their country, proud of their craft, and genuinely glad you showed up.
The service matches. Guest after guest uses words like “kindest people,” “super friendly,” and “extremely welcoming” to describe the experience at the counter. In a region where hospitality is expected, Come and Take It consistently exceeds expectations.
What Guests Are Saying About Come and Take It BBQ Branson
The reviews speak for themselves. Here’s what real visitors have shared:
★ “I’m a local, and I could literally eat here every single day if I could!! I never liked BBQ sauce until I came here. Don’t even get me started on the pulled pork. To die for! I can’t find a single flaw in their food or service! They’re the kindest people every single time. You’d never know if they were having a tough day. The ambiance is through-the-roof amazing. If I could give 10 stars, I would.”
— Jordan D. — Google Review
★ “The food is ALWAYS amazing at this hidden gem! Come and Take It is veteran-owned and operated.”
— Peter L. — Google Review
★ “Fantastic pitstop on the way to Branson. Extremely welcoming staff and even better food. 100% stopping on the way home.”
— Steve W. — Google Review
★ “Stopped here on a whim and it was our favorite meal during our trip to Branson. Had the pulled pork, sliced brisket, smoked turkey, mac and cheese, and corn. It was all fantastic. The owner was helpful, and the prices were quite reasonable. It’s a ‘don’t miss’!”
— TripAdvisor Reviewer
★ “The best ribs I have ever eaten.”
— Nikki Nichole Simmons — Facebook Review
★ “My family and I came up to Branson to go to Silver Dollar City for my dad’s 60th birthday. We have heard about Come and Take it BBQ so we decided to give it a shot. The food is PHENOMENAL, and the staff is incredibly friendly and on top of things! We will definitely be coming back in the future!”
— Restaurant Guru Reviewer
Practical Information: Hours, Location & What to Know
Location & Contact
- Address: 8803 E State Highway 76, Branson West, MO 65737
- Phone: (417) 386-1269
- Email: catibbq@gmail.com
- Facebook: com/Come-and-Take-It-BBQ-100078146559666 (no website — Facebook is the primary online home)
Summer Hours
- Monday–Tuesday: 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Wednesday: CLOSED
- Thursday–Saturday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Hours are subject to change — check the Facebook page for current updates before visiting, especially during off-season and holiday periods.
Good to Know
- Outdoor seating: Covered and uncovered picnic-table-style seating. Spacious enough for large groups.
- Parking: Gravel lot with easy access. Free.
- Kid-friendly: The relaxed outdoor setup is a great fit for families.
- No alcohol served.
- Curbside pickup available.
- Wheelchair accessible.
- Credit cards accepted.
- Catering available: Come and Take It BBQ offers catering services for events and gatherings. Contact directly for details.
- Meat smoking service: They’ll smoke your own meat for you. Worth asking about if you’re planning a gathering.
Getting There
Come and Take It BBQ sits on State Highway 76 in Branson West — the same highway that eventually becomes the 76 Strip as you head east into central Branson. From Silver Dollar City, it’s a short drive west. From the main entertainment corridor, allow about 10–15 minutes, depending on traffic. It’s a natural lunch or dinner stop when you’re spending time on the western side of Branson and a particularly convenient pit stop if you’re arriving or departing via Highway 76 from the west.
Make Branson Premier Your Home Base for Branson West
Come and Take It BBQ is the kind of place that’s best enjoyed as part of a longer Branson stay — not just a quick visit, but an afternoon where you order the sampler, take your time over a picnic table, and leave with a list of things you want to try next time. That experience is easier when you’re staying nearby.
Branson Premier has vacation rental properties throughout the Branson West and Table Rock Lake corridor, putting guests within easy reach of Come and Take It BBQ, Silver Dollar City, Dogwood Canyon, Moonshine Beach, and all the best the western side of Branson has to offer. A full kitchen in your rental means you can save your dining dollars for the meals that count — and an evening of Texas BBQ on the patio at Come and Take It is exactly the kind of meal worth spending those dollars on.
Browse Branson Premier’s vacation rentals near Branson West and the Table Rock Lake area at bransonpremier.com/properties/. The team can help match your group size and dates to the right property if you’d like a recommendation.
Come and Take It BBQ Branson: Don’t Miss It
Branson has a lot of restaurants. Come and Take It BBQ is not like most of them. It’s a family that moved from Texas to share something they love, built a community around it, and earned a near-perfect rating because they genuinely deserve it.
The brisket is the real thing. The pulled pork will convert people who think they don’t like pulled pork. The corn elote belongs on a best-of list. The smoked Twinkies on Fridays are a Branson West institution. And the people behind the counter will make you feel like you’ve been coming here for years.
Go on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday when you have time to linger. Order the sampler. Ask about the smoked chicken. Try both the regular and spicy house sauces. And if it’s Friday — get the Twinkies.
Come and Take It BBQ is located at 8803 E State Highway 76, Branson West, MO 65737. Call (417) 386-1269 or find them on Facebook for current hours and daily specials.
