Laughing Sun pairs standout barbecue with house beer

The overall read Laughing Sun Brewing Co. has a 4.7 Google rating from 646 reviews, a strong signal for a Bismarck restaurant that combines a brewery, barbecue kitchen and live music venue. The supplied reviews consistently connect the food and beer rather than treating either as an afterthought. Diners describe it as a worthwhile lunch stop, a place they would revisit and, in one case, barbecue that compares favorably with examples from around the country.

That praise is not completely uniform, but the broad pattern is favorable: smoked meats lead the kitchen, wings earn enthusiastic notices, and the beer selection gives the restaurant more range than a standard barbecue counter.

What to order Burnt ends are among the most frequently praised dishes. One reviewer liked their shareable presentation with bread and jalapeños, while another scored their flavor highly but found a few pieces overly soft. Smoked turkey may be the safest consensus choice. It receives top marks in one detailed review and a direct “must” recommendation in another.

Wings are another clear strength. Both reviews that mention them are emphatically positive, including one that rated them above the accompanying sides and another that called them phenomenal. Brisket draws more mixed feedback. It is praised alongside the burnt ends in one account and rated highly in another, but a separate diner found it dry. Ribs follow a similar pattern: their flavor earned approval, though one party expected them to pull away from the bone more easily.

Cornbread also stands out among the supporting dishes, with repeated praise for flavor. Beans are well regarded in the most detailed side-by-side assessment. Mac and cheese and coleslaw land closer to average, with the slaw credited for fresh, crisp vegetables but criticized for needing more sauce flavor.

Beer and atmosphere The brewery side appears to hold its own. Reviewers mention a broad beer selection and repeatedly describe the beer in positive terms. Grandma’s Cupboard Imperial Porter made enough of an impression on one visitor to prompt a six-pack purchase after lunch. Another reviewer framed the brewery as an added benefit to already strong barbecue.

One road-trip visitor also reported friendly service and a dog-friendly patio area. Those details come from a single account, but they reinforce Laughing Sun’s appeal as a casual stop rather than a food-only destination.

The caveats Portion expectations may need managing. One group of three adults finished a pick-three-meat order and considered the servings smaller than anticipated. Barbecue texture can also vary, based on reports of dry brisket, ribs that were less tender than expected and burnt ends that occasionally ran too soft.

Even with those reservations, the rating volume and repeated praise for smoked turkey, wings, burnt ends, cornbread and beer make Laughing Sun one of Bismarck’s more convincing brewery-and-barbecue combinations. Diners choosing the most consistently endorsed items should have the strongest experience.