Nestled at 2801 Pine Lake Rd in Lincoln, Nebraska, Mary Ellen’s barbecue restaurant has quickly become a beloved destination for lovers of Southern cuisine. Patrons rave about the barbecue buffet, which boasts a vibrant array of dishes, always fresh and well-stocked. Adam Costenbader praises the attentive staff for creating a welcoming atmosphere, while Sebs celebrates the generous portions and delightful flavors, declaring the cornbread as the best he’s ever tasted. Signature dishes, like the catfish and spicy hot links, have left diners like Paul Haar astounded at the depth of flavor, alongside soul-satisfying collard greens. The reviews consistently highlight the balance of taste, with Stephen Exon Jr. noting perfect scores for the BBQ sauce and a commendable brisket. Adding to the charm, food lovers seek out the food truck experience, with Danielle Fellows testifying to the flavorful Cajun honey wings and nostalgic southern red Kool-Aid that evokes childhood memories. Each review conveys the heartfelt dedication of Mary Ellen's team, making it clear that this restaurant is a must-visit for anyone craving authentic barbecue and a slice of Southern hospitality. Whether you're a local or just passing through, Mary Ellen's is a culinary treasure that ensures every visit is memorable.
Amenities and More
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Service options
Offers kerbside pickup
Offers delivery
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves comfort food
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Dining options
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has catering
Serves dessert
Amenities
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Crowd
Good for groups
Popular with tourists
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Children
Good for kids
Has kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Photos
Reviews For Mary ellen's
Adam Costenbader
May 18,2025
Their barbecue buffet was great! There was a good spread of food to select from and they were staying on top of keeping it fresh. The staff were very kind and made sure that we felt comfortable.
Sebs
Apr 7,2025
Good portions, layers of flavor, cooked to perfection. Hands down the best cornbread I've ever had, and they do something *magical* to those sweet potatoes. Beautiful people serving beautiful food. I'm telling everyone I see to go get a plate.
Paul Haar
Mar 10,2025
A picture is worth a 1000 words. Lincoln has NOOOO clue what it has in Mary Ellen’s! This is such great food, full of flavor and character. We tried it for the first time tonight and holy cow! The catfish is u lick any you will find in Lincoln. The ribs were excellent and the hot link was hot in all the right ways and the collard greens made me want a gallon more. Tell friends, tell family and support the fine folks!
Stephen Exon Jr.
Feb 23,2025
Without question, the best food truck in Lincoln. Brisket: 9 out of 10 Pulled pork: 8 out of 10 Potato salad: 9 out of 10 Mac n cheese: 7 out of 10 BBQ beans: 9 out of 10 BBQ sauce (kc style): 10 out of 10 Corn bread: 7 out of 10 Service: 10 out of 10 I'm a certified KCBS judge so know what I'm talking about. Hunt this place down via their Facebook page and drive across town if you have to. Worth the trip.
Danielle Fellows
Feb 21,2025
Food was SOOO good. They even had a southern red Kool aid that tasted like you just got it from the candy lady. Collard greens were very good. Cajun honey wings were the perfect mix of sweet and salty. Definitely recommend this place
Sarah Schroader
Feb 16,2025
Visitor from Owensboro, KY. I paid 15 with tax for buffet which included a drink. My food was delicious. Buffet included Ribs, catfish nuggets, pulled pork, roasted chicken, beans, coleslaw, and mac n cheese. I don’t know if they change the buffet to different items depending on the day. I enjoyed everything on the menu. Will definitely be back :) Thanks for a wonderful meal!
Riley
Feb 10,2025
I can't recommend Mary Ellen's enough. I got the brisket dinner with two sides. The brisket sandwich had a generous amount of meat and was made to perfection. Coupled with sweet potatoes and baked beans. Both of which were incredible. I also grabbed burnt ends and ribs. Both made perfectly. The owner, Charles, was up front, super nice guy, and very friendly. I would just say they need a sampler menu item to try more!
Kyle Yeramyshev
Feb 7,2025
Went twice in 3 days. The wings are delicious, the short rib was like a dinosaur rib! (Very good). This is the only place I've had collared greens that I've enjoyed (and I've spent a lot of time in the south)
Reviews For Mary ellen's