Brewski’S Big Tray Bbq is a barbecue restaurant in Media City, Manchester. Rated 4.4 stars from 181 Google reviews. Known for brisket that justifies the trip and staff who actually know the menu. Best for group dinner and casual lunch. Ranked #5 of 12 in Media City.
Rankings updated April 2026
BREWSKI’S BIG TRAY BBQ
Zone Ranking
Ranked weekly from live Google review data
in Media City
↓ Down 1 this week
Quick Verdict
Yes. Locals keep coming back because the meat's actually tender, the staff genuinely care, and you're not paying London prices for it.
You want proper barbecue cooked by someone who knows what they're doing, without the pretence or the wait times of a formal booking.
About BREWSKI’S BIG TRAY BBQ
Brewski's Big Tray BBQ is a casual dine-in and takeaway barbecue restaurant in Media City, Salford, where you order at the counter and eat family-style off shared platters. The kitchen's built around whole meats—brisket, house-made sausages, Middle Eastern–inspired turkey—cooked low and slow, with sides that break the American BBQ rulebook (pit beans that aren't oversweetened, macaroni cheese, broccoli salad, aubergine). You can scale your spend: a small platter feeds one, the biggest stretches two adults comfortably. Service moves fast despite the casual setup; staff know the menu cold and the kitchen stays open late enough to seat you even as they're closing. Reviewers mention live guitars on some nights. The brisket gets named specifically across multiple reviews—one customer left the table mid-meal to thank chef James for the tenderness and moisture. Vegetarians aren't an afterthought here; the non-meat options get the same attention. It's packed enough by weekends that you'll want to arrive early or expect a wait.
What Stands Out
Brisket that justifies the trip
One reviewer left their table mid-meal to thank chef James for 'the incredible brisket,' calling it 'real authentic BBQ from back home' with 'that perfect tender/moist ratio.' Multiple reviews name the brisket as 'the best in town.'
Staff who actually know the menu
'The guy serving the food knew everything about what he was offering and was more than happy to advise.' Service is described across reviews as 'friendly,' 'attentive,' and 'genuinely nice people'—even when the kitchen's closing, they still accommodate walk-ins.
Platters built for sharing, not portion-padding
Reviewers consistently note 'a lot of food' from the big platter, enough to feed two adults as a full meal. The sizing flexibility means you're not locked into one price point; you can 'cater to your own budget.'
What Customers Say
Popped in for lunch and shared a big platter between two of us which was perfect for a lunch and it is a lot of food!
All the staff were great too, especially the guy serving the food.
Amazing food and cocktails, decent portions and all the staff from the chefs to the bar staff were friendly and helpful
Real quotes from Google Reviews
Practical Information
Contact
media city, Unit 35, the quays, quayside, Salford M50 3AG, United Kingdom
Visit WebsiteFrequently Asked Questions about BREWSKI’S BIG TRAY BBQ
No online booking. Walk in whenever you want, but weekends fill up—arrive early or expect a wait at peak times. The kitchen stays open late enough to seat you even as they're closing.
The brisket. Multiple reviewers specifically praise chef James's brisket for its tenderness and moisture. The house-made sausages (cheddar and jalapeño gets a special mention) and Middle Eastern–inspired turkey are also highlights. Order a shared platter and let the staff advise on portions.
£20–30 per person. A big platter (the largest) feeds 2 adults comfortably as a full meal. You can scale down for less if you're just after lunch.
Yes. Reviewers mention macaroni cheese, broccoli salad, and aubergine dishes that are 'delicious' and get the same care as the meat. Staff will advise on what's available.
Casual, counter-service setup. Full by peak times on weekends. Some nights feature live guitar music. Staff are attentive and friendly without being formal.
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