It's rare that I give places a "1" star rating, but in this case I feel that I am completely honest and upfront. I've actually taken a couple of days to think and review what I was going to write, so to know that it's not out of emotion.
First off, as I have said before, I am from Texas, and that being said, my opinion of BBQ is pretty darn high. My wife (not being from The Lone Star State), has called me "A BBQ Nazi".
Now that that has been established, it's time for me to get back on track and get this review going.
Backroads BBQ is located in Lebanon, Indiana with a second opening right up the road in Lafayette. Their Facebook page says: "We take a unique twist on Texas-style barbecue and traditional southern comfort food."
So after reading this, I was curious. "Texas style", "unique twist"....hmmm....
So I made the journey.
The building is pretty large, and is evidently a nice locals place, but also close enough off the freeway for people to take a side jaunt to and grab some food. Good signage so I knew where I was. The parking lot was work gravel and the mudholes were large and common, but we had had a lot of rain up here, so I can't blame them. I walked carefully into the restaurant.
The restaurant is laid out in a nice style. Lots of booths and tables. The walls done in a cedar style / natural stained oak paneling with some pictures and beer signs on the wall, (the usual restaurant wall kitsch), as well as the obligatory flat screen TV mounted on a high perch, perpetually tuned to ESPN sports, and showing some college football game going on....(In Feb?).....
I walked in and the first hostess (I say "first" as this is a major cog in the story, so please pay attention), sees me and comes up to me.
Hostess #1 (H1): "Hi! Welcome! Dining in, pick up, or take out?"
Me: "Hi. I'll be taking out, but I need your help."
H1: "Oh?"
Me: "Yes. I've never been here before but I have seen it a lot. So this is my first time here, and I am interested in trying out your BBQ. Is there anything good or specific that you recommend?"
H1: (Does a rolling eye glance off to the side) "Well to be honest, I really DON'T like BBQ."
Me: "You don't like BBQ but you work at a BBQ place?" I found this odd as BBQ people usually work at the things they love and love at the things they work at, (Namely BBQ).
H1: "No not really. But we DO have some pretty good desserts!" She was obviously very enthusiastic about that. Her dentist must be thrilled.
Me: Thinking to myself, "Yeah, I go to BBQ places for dessert." but instead saying "Um...well I am really interested in BBQ, and when it comes to that I am gonna say the four words you don't wanna hear. "Miss, I'm from Texas."..."
H1 looks at me and says "I'll be right back."
She darts off to get another lady, (an older lady but very nice, so we shall called her Hostess #2, (H2) who comes in as backup).
H2: "Hi hon, what can we get for you?"
Me: "I'm interested in knowing what's good here...especially the BBQ."
H2: "Do you like fish?"
Me: "Um...especially the BBQ."
H2: "Well tell me what you like."
Me: "Ma'am, I'm from Texas."
H2: "Oh...well I'm sorry but we don't have any BBQ chicken."
WTF????
Me: "No ma'am...I'm thinking a good order of dry rub beef brisket, beef ribs, etc."
H2: *Rapid blinking of the eyes.*
H1: "What is dry rub?"
Me: *Biting my tongue before asking* "Can I see a menu please?
H2: Hands me a menu. I look it over and ask her to give me a few minutes.
In the end I went with two combos:
Combo 1 had pulled pork and the Texas smoked sausage with kettle chips, and baked beans.
Combo 2 had the beef brisket and pulled pork with coleslaw and fries.
I also ordered a "Large" sweet tea.
Service was quick and efficient. However they had three holding containers full of their "sauce", (I had to ask which was which as there were no signs). They had sweet, "fire" and their sweet, spicy, mustard. I took two containers of the sweet.
I got two combos: The first was their pulled pork and Texas smoked sausage with kettle chips and baked beans, and the second was their beef brisket and pulled pork with fries and coleslaw. My wife fixed us some sweet corn to add to it.
The food leaves a lot to be desired.
1: The Texas smoked sausage tastes par-broiled, with hardly any smoke flavoring in it.
2: The pulled pork had literally no BBQ flavor.
3: The beef brisket portion was small and mostly fatty meat. It had a little more taste to it than the pork, but also seemed to be par-broiled.
4: The beans had a vinagery aftertaste.
5: Fries, kettle chips, and the coleslaw were very good.
The "large" sweet tea was the size of a medium McDonalds cup, and I had it emptied in about six gulps.
Maybe I caught it on a bad day, but the food wasn't that good, the BBQ selection wasn't that good, the portions were small, and I think they were relying more on their sauces for "Real BBQ flavor".
Portions vs Price was not good.
I "might" try this again in the future, but for right now, I am NOT impressed.. read more