Blue Ox Babe image

Blue Ox Babe

Restaurant Bar Barbecue restaurant Asian fusion restaurant

One of the Most Reviewed Bars in Franklin


Address

127 Manukau Road, Pukekohe 2120, New Zealand

Website

www.blueoxbabe.co.nz

Contact

+64 9 238 1079

Price rating

$$ $$

Rating on Google Maps

4.50 (1.1K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Friday: 12 to 10 pm
  • Saturday: 12 to 10 pm
  • Sunday: 12 to 10 pm
  • Monday: (Christmas Day), Closed, Hours might differ
  • Tuesday: (Boxing Day), Closed, Hours might differ
  • Wednesday: 12 to 10 pm
  • Thursday: 12 to 10 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: brisket (13) service (13) staff (12) great (11) friendly (11) time (8) Blue (8) Babe (8) fries (7) pork (7)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Amber S. 2 years ago on Google
    Amazing food, epic atmosphere and even better tap beer. Worth the drive from Auckland. The melt in your mouth meat, full of flavourful was worth every darn minute. Cool staff as well. Wasn't planning on loaded fries but after a recommendation I did not regret it! It's been 20 hours and I'm still full ha
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 William H. 1 year ago on Google
    Absolutely loved it here. The food was delicious, the atmosphere was awesome, and it was well decorated. To the young man that waited on us, you were very pleasant, well mannered, and made sure we had everything we needed. He was about to go on his break but first came to check if everything was ok, that to me is going beyond your job/duties and says alot about someone's character. Will definitely be going back there 💯 10/10 from me 👍🏽
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nathan M. 11 months ago on Google
    The best dishes were the papaya salad, pork noodle Tom yum, and beef brisket. Service was great especially from the head chef "Nuum" came out to serve us because the waitresses were busy. Highly recommended!
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Angela W. 2 years ago on Google
    Amazing service! Literally everyone was so kind and accommodating. Had multiple people chat to us and make sure we were happy. The food came out super fast and was delicious. So much brisket on the burger, it was juicy and delicious. Loaded fries were so tasty and the drinks were a real decent price for the size. Will come back again and again.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Syd E. 9 months ago on Google
    Very impressed by this American style BBQ shack in the Auckland outskirts! Beef brisket was divine! The pork ribs were a little salty and not so soft and the duck was breaded or battered and awful - but the home pickled pickles, brisket and staff were amazing. Shout out to Taylor (Tyler) our wait person who was so incredibly knowledgeable, professional and charming. She even arranged a pickle back bourbon shot and chaser. We had an incredible time🍖🍻💯🔥
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Reiza and Elina S. 7 months ago on Google
    Mark is a fantastic friendly host/owner. We came in thinking of getting a lite lunch, after first bite it’s awaken the appetite. Food so delicious nothing compares. Will definitely come back to try dinner.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Andre T. 2 years ago on Google
    If you love meat you have to try this place out. The brisket, pastrami and Mac and cheese was a great combo!! Dry chicken wings were also cooked to perfection seasoning was nice and spicy. The vibe in the outdoor area was super chill and decor of the indoor restaraunt is pretty cool. Staff were friendly and service was great. Will be eating here again very soon...
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Samara S. 7 months ago on Google
    Have visited a few times now and wow the food is always on point. The place looks and feels fabulous and the staff make it really enjoyable. Thank you Caitlin for you lush as service and smile. Highly recommend to anyone who wants a family friendly place to eat or a swag place for a few pre drinks and a mean feed.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Corrie M. 9 months ago on Google
    Took my mum and two daughters to lunch today at the Blue Ox Babe and OMG amazing food absolutely amazing service and the vibe was perfect. Highly recommend going. Food was mouth watering, the service was the best we have had in a while and so affordable for the amount of food you get. Get in there team. Will be going back soon for sure ✊🏾💙
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kristie 1 year ago on Google
    We FINALLY made our way to the very FAMOUS & POPULAR eating SPOT in TOWN 😁 @blueoxbabebbq It just took 4 years living Pukekohe. 🙈 They are always fully booked and on the most random days we got a spot. The SMOKED Brisket & Pork Belly was soft, juicy and filled with flavour. The chips 🍟 were on point as well as the cucumber 🥒🥒🥒 Go check them out 🤩 You know you want to 😁 Everything with our 2 drinks 🍹🍺 was $108 not bad for a first time. 😊 The owner is very well spoken, friendly, kind and great sense of hospitality. We had a lovely lunch there today.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Andra M. 2 years ago on Google
    This time around I haven't enjoyed it as much as my first time. First time there were no covid restrictions etc and this time it was. Also with the costs increase they had to take pork ribs off the menu and we actually mainly went for that! Usually it would cost $40 something for ribs but with the inflation its around 70 and they decided to take them off the menu anyway it is not the company fault but the govt! Howerver, the music is too loud and the wings i had dont have any salt on them. Will come back when there are pork ribs on the menu. 😊
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Majajaa R. 1 year ago on Google
    We’d been waiting for almost a year to go to this place and it did not disappoint and well worth the drive. Went with a group of friends, the staff was super nice, friendly and offered great advice on the food and portions. Pricing was reasonable and the owner super friendly and humble. The food tasted amazing! And the meat was just so tender. Definitely will be going again.

  • 5/5 Thai Family N. 1 year ago on Google
    We had a great dining experience here last night. The service was fantastic, our waitress was super friendly and knowledgeable. The Thai chef made the most authentic Thai Papaya salad that was reminiscent of Bangkok street food, we had to order a second serving. A huge compliment to the chef and staff who were so attentive.

  • 5/5 Joy F. 6 months ago on Google
    Went for a family dinner and everyone at the table was very impressed with the environment, service and food. We were never big fans of Asian fusion, but the food here was amazing across the board: XO Duck - Incredibly flavoured without being overly savoury, the meat was so tender it almost melts in the mouth. Lemongrass Chicken - Crispy and light on the outside, succulent and juicy on the inside. Crispy King Prawns - These tasted very fresh, very skillfully cooked. Loaded fries (we got both the kimchi and the brisket) - the fries were done perfectly, crunchy but not over-cooked. The toppings added a lot of flavour, and the portions were generous. The kimchi definitely had a kick to it, but was delicious. Papaya Salad - A great change of flavour and texture to all the meat; tangy, slightly sweet, refreshing and has a tint of spice, very reminiscent of Thai-style salads. Beef Brisket - Nice and tender, but as the waitress advised us, they needed to be eaten quickly or they would get dry. Pork Belly - Slightly dry and a little bit tough to chew, but flavour wise it was quite tasty. The staff were all very attentive and helpful, answering all our questions with patience and even turned down the music when my mum complained about it being too loud. My parents are quite hard to impress when it comes to eating out, but Blue Ox Babe definitely wowed them. The restaurant itself was decorated beautifully and spacious. I will surely return to try their other menu options.

  • 5/5 Erfan Akhtar J. 7 months ago on Google
    My recent visit to Blue Ox Babe left me thoroughly impressed with their exceptional service and delicious cuisine. From the moment we arrived to the last bite of our meal, every aspect of our dining experience was nothing short of outstanding. One of the first things that caught our attention was their user-friendly online booking system. It was incredibly convenient to reserve a table in advance, allowing us to plan our evening without any hassles. The convenience of this system set the tone for the rest of our experience. What truly amazed us was the restaurant's flexibility and willingness to accommodate us even before our scheduled reservation time. The highlight of our visit, however, was the impeccable service. The staff at Blue Ox Babe were not only friendly but also extremely attentive. We were seated promptly, and the servers ensured that our glasses were always filled and that we had everything we needed. Their efficiency was particularly evident in the speed at which our food arrived at the table. Speaking of the food, I must say that the quick food service did not compromise on quality. Our dishes were beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. It was evident that the kitchen takes pride in their craft. The menu offered a diverse range of options, and the staff were more than happy to explain each dish in detail, making our decision-making process a breeze. What added a personal touch to our visit was the presence of the owner, Mark. He not only greeted us warmly but also took the time to ensure our dining experience was nothing short of perfect. His attention to detail and dedication to customer satisfaction truly set Blue Ox Babe apart. In conclusion, our visit to Blue Ox Babe was a delightful and memorable experience. I wholeheartedly recommend Blue Ox Babe to anyone seeking exceptional food and service in a welcoming atmosphere. We left the restaurant with smiles on our faces, eager to return for another extraordinary meal.

  • 5/5 Amber LePine- W. 5 months ago on Google
    Wow, what great place. The food is to die for! The staff are friendly, warm and welcoming, they are knowledgeable about the menu and can make excellent recommendations. The owner was friendly and humble and sets a fantastic standard for his team. We will definitely be coming back and bring our friends and family.

  • 3/5 Yoyito 9 months ago on Google
    look like good place until you seat, food was average, if you take out the smoked brisket, the rest of the food is really no flavor, service it's just ok, no good enough, I guess is just a good place to drink, food wasn't on top of my list

  • 3/5 Wendy N. 8 months ago on Google
    Went here for a late dinner and ordered the sliced brisket, beef short rib (which was the special), sliced pork belly, brisket dumplings and a side of mac & cheese and fries. Brisket was the fav. Waited roughly 30 minutes for food to come out. Everything else was alright. Didn't realise the short rib would be $60 for a piece (with a lot of fat) as I was not informed of price before ordering. All in all, an alright place for bbq👍🏻

  • 4/5 Susan H. 2 years ago on Google
    I always wanted to go to Blue Ox Babe and so when my husband suprised me with a dinner date, I was so happy. We decided to order their brisket burger with a side of fries and slaw. We were not dissapointed. Service were fantastic and the staff was very friendly and helpful. My only suggestion is to add platters to the menu where a little bit of everything is on there. Otherwise fantastic food and service.

  • 5/5 Jessica l. 1 year ago on Google
    Special shout out to our amazing host of the evening Caitlin, her persona and hospitality suited our group perfectly. Food was great will definitely be back! The Lindsay's and friends :)

  • 5/5 G C. 1 year ago on Google
    The bbq meats was absolutely tasty. Briaket and beef cheek where my favourites. 🤤 Would recommend adding some different sides, as there is little choices of chips, picked cucumber or macaroni cheese. Chilled atmosphere. Kids love the little car to play in

  • 5/5 Juan G. 1 year ago on Google
    Unbelievable! We eat at a lot of places and the food was so Devine we went back the next night. This is the type of place that you are happy to travel 100kms for. The succulent meats combined with the Asian fusion salads are a combination that's made in heaven. The owner works front of house 🏠 which, to me being from a hospitality family means he cares and tends to his customers personally. Well done B.O.B you nailed it@@!

  • 5/5 Grant R. 2 years ago on Google
    Amazing brisket, done how it should be. Fantastic welcoming and knowledgeable team. We dined in with a great gin and aperol spritz. They also have takeaway too. Highly recommend

  • 5/5 Dakota V. 1 year ago on Google
    Truly some of the best food I've ever had - the staff are awesome, everything we ordered tasted amazing too. The beef cheeks were super tender, and the peppery coating complements it really well; the brisket and cheese dumplings are a must-try too. I'll definitely be back!

  • 5/5 bexs 1 year ago on Google
    Was a lovely experience, the atmosphere, the music. The staff were awesome, very welcoming and made sure we were alright before and after. We ordered 3 pieces of meat the sliced pork belly, sliced brisket the pork ribs , 2 sides of chips and 2 drinks oh and chicken wings, it costs around $130 but is so worth the price. Thank you blue ox babe for the experience.

  • 3/5 Darcy M. 10 months ago on Google
    I think it's the first restaurant that doesn't offer fries WITH a funny shaped burger meal or a curry meal WITHOUT rice. The only jugs of drinks on offer were water or alcohol, no in-between, like juice or soda. The wontons were full of oil, prawns were a bit bland, and the ribs were average. The heaters were a bit on the hot side, having been seated right under them. Other than that, everything else, the music which was upbeat (on a Sunday, even) most of the waiters, were great! Still give props to the chef, regardless. Thanks, Chef. Family of 11


Call +64 9 238 1079 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Parking
    • ✓️ Free parking lot
    • ✓️ Plenty of parking
    • ✓️ Free of charge street parking
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Food
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Spirits
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Food at bar
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Seating
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✗ Delivery
    • ✓️ Takeaway
    • ✓️ Outdoor seating

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