When someone says “limited time menu”, I always get immediate FOMO and have to drop everything and go immediately. That’s exactly how I ended up at YOMG trying their #YOMGLimited Yo My Cookout lineup. It’s pitched as this big, backyard BBQ moment, the kind where things are a little chaotic, a little messy, and very much about piling your plate high and figuring it out as you go. That energy definitely carries through.
We went straight for the Cookout Box, which is basically the “why choose one thing when you can have it all?” option. It landed in front of us loaded up with hot buffalo crunch chicken strips, Dr Pepper-braised pulled beef brisket, Texas toast (a fancy term for garlic toast), buttermilk ranch slaw, tater tots (or potato gems, as we call them here in Aus), bread & butter pickles, plus a couple of dipping sauces.
The buffalo strips were the first thing I reached for. Proper crunch, smothered in flavoursome buffalo sauce with that bright, tangy heat you expect. Just enough kick to keep things interesting without knocking you out. We dipped them into the hometown mayo and that cooled everything down nicely without dulling the flavour. I kept going back for more without really thinking about it, which is usually the sign something’s working.
The brisket was the other standout. Really juicy, properly rich, and soaked up all that Dr Pepper sweetness.. It had that slow-cooked depth you want, the kind that makes you pause for a second mid-bite. Not something I’d rush through.
And then there were the tots. I hadn’t had potato gems in ages, so that first bite felt weirdly nostalgic. Crispy outside, soft in the middle, perfect for dragging through whatever sauce was closest. The Texas toast came in handy for exactly that too, acting as a bit of a mop for all the extras, while the slaw cut through everything with some fresh crunch when things started getting a bit heavy.
We also tried The Pitmaster burger, and this is where the “messy backyard BBQ” theme really kicks in. It’s stacked with that same brisket, plus smashed mac and cheese bites, pickles, sauces… and it absolutely does not want to be eaten neatly. You either take it apart or accept that it’s going everywhere. We leaned into the chaos. Worth it. The flavours are big and comforting, and if you’re not worried about appearances, it’s a really fun one to tackle. (Hot tip: get serviettes. A LOT. More than you think you’ll need).
There’s a bunch of things on the menu we didn’t get to but kept side-eyeing. The Cheesy Buffalo Chick’n Sandwich sounds like it would hit in the same way as the strips, just dialled up with cheese sauce and fries tucked inside. The Country Hick has that full smokehouse situation going on with slow cooked pulled pork, bacon, slaw, buttermilk ranch, sweet baby ray’s smokey BBQ sauce (which feels like a return visit waiting to happen). And I’m still thinking I need to go back and try those loaded sides — especially the Hillbilly Tots with slow cooked pulled pork, cheese sauce, buttermilk ranch, sweet baby ray’s smokey BBQ sauce, shredded tasty cheese, spring onion, secret seasoned tater tots— because if the plain tots were that good, the fully loaded versions are probably a bit ridiculous.
We skipped the drinks this time, but they’re very on-theme.
The Boston Cream Shake is basically a dessert in a cup — chocolate ganache, vanilla sponge, custard, ice cream, milk, and whipped cream all blended together.
The Dr Pepper® Dirty Soda goes the other way: fizzy Dr Pepper® mixed with coconut syrup, coconut creamer, lime juice, and ice. Sweet, creamy, and a little zesty. Definitely curious to try it next time.
The whole Yo My Cookout thing leans hard into being fun over polished. It’s saucy, it’s stacked, it’s a little impractical at times, but that’s kind of the point. You go in, get your hands dirty, and leave full. Honestly, I’m already planning what to try next time before this menu disappears.
It’s available for six weeks only until Thursday 23 April at 5pm, and the menu will be available nationally across YOMG locations, excluding Burleigh Heads and Cairns.
In her spare time, she likes long walks down the makeup aisle and performing in Brisbane theatre. You can follow her adventures on Instagram and TikTok @thebeautypalate.
