Okay, I am sorry.
My previous review had glowing praise for this little BBQ joint in downtown Monrovia. After all, the prices were really good and, even though they appeared to be adverse to salt, the food wasn't that bad.
Well, I am sorry, because time has apparently proved me wrong. For that, I apologize.
Stopped by for late lunch today, and OMG - this place has gone down the toilet. I'm not kidding, I don't think I've ever had a worse BBQ experience in my (far to long of a) life.
Let's start with the BBQ Beef Short Ribs, which I had again today. I don't think the photos I took actually do it justice, because it was HORRIBLE.
To start, the price has gone from $17 to $23, which I am okay with, I'm not blind (like so many of the Yelp Elite in this region) to the fact that prices are going up for everyone, and I am perfectly fine with restaurants adjusting their prices when their cost goes up.
*This is not to say I am happy about how everything is getting more expensive, but that's a gripe for another day.
Okay, so you raised your prices, fine, I can deal with that. But when my ribs arrived and I realized they switched from 3 bone short rib racks to the much cheaper and much worse 4 bone short rib rack, I was pissed. They have half the meat, maybe even less, than their 3 rib cousins.
Listen, 3 bone short ribs (also known as "Plate Short Ribs" or "Dino Ribs")come from the belly, they are very meaty and have an excellent fat to meat ratio. Their cousin, the 4 bone short rib (also known as "Chuck Short Ribs") come from the shoulder. They have much less meat, much less fat, but way too much inedible sinew fiber.
The Dino Ribs are for smoking (or Barbeque as we know it) and they are delicious, even if you screw it up. The Chuck Short Ribs, however, are for braising in a liquid for a very long time because they are very tough meat and they really suck as Barbeque.
To change your beef ribs to the cheaper and crappier version AND raise your prices, that is a sin against Barbeque.
Now, to add insult to injury, they also cooked them via a method that I am unable to identify. There is no bark, the meat is a nauseating shade of grey, and they FAILED TO ADD ENOUGH SALT...again. Results, simply the worst piece of beef I have ever eaten.
As if my pain wasn't enough, the 2 sides that I got (coleslaw and salad - I'm doing keto) were tasteless and awful. Again, not enough salt.
ARE YOU PEOPLE AFRAID OF SALT?
Now, the bartender was delightful, which is why they got two stars and not one. As for the food, if I could give it negative stars, I would.