Ya know...walking into this place, I really wanted to love it. Like, I really, REALLY wanted to love it. And I whilst I stick by the presumption this place holds potential, I gotta say that the biggest thing holding back [this location of] Rib Hut from even being able to hold a candle to the likes of Applebee's is...the kitchen. Because, guys...lemme tell ya...the kitchen has problems up the ass!
First, let's get things out the way and give props where props are due; the service was outstanding. When I say outstanding, I'm talking about a waitress with the patience of an anaconda, the cordiality of an airline stewardess serving first class, and the sincerity of Jennifer Lawrence. It's just too bad the kitchen staff didn't have her back. Because the execution of the main course was a train wreck. Allow me to elaborate..
The drinks and appetizers came out at blazingly fast speed. So I knew right off the bat that we had stellar table side service. Now again, giving credit where credit is due, the wings were sensational! They might even be the best wings I've tasted in El Paso since Track One. Messy...but good and tangy like they should be. And they paired perfectly with the bleu cheese.
With that out the way, we can discuss the main courses...and how long they took to get out the kitchen. So, there I am...just chit-chatting the night away with my folks at the dinner table. A good time is had by all, yada yada...when it suddenly occurs to me: it had been over an hour since we ordered our food. So, we flag down the waitress to inquire about the delay. She goes back to the kitchen, returns..and informs us they're working our ticket still. One problem though...the salads hadn't arrived either. The...SALADS!!
As the waitress brings us our salads, we finally decide it's time to get the manager involved with this atrocity. Now, the manager approaches the table and is both cordial and humble as ever. I was seriously impressed with her patience and professionalism. So, we explain to her the situation: about how we ordered our food about 45 minutes prior to summoning her and all that. Now...here's where things get interesting..
We arrived at the restaurant..maybe around 7:45. We placed orders...maybe around 8:10, give or take. The manager told us our orders didn't arrive in kitchen until 8:37. Now, some of you might be thinking, "Oh snap! The waitress done effed up!" But...here's the problem with that logic: our appetizers and drinks arrived smartly on point. Which leads me to one conclusion: the kitchen is a disorganized mess. And when the kitchen is disorganized, everything else falls apart in turn and they stand no chance. "But Jay, how do you know the kitchen is that bad?" you might be asking. Well, I haven't told you the most bizarre practice..
I ordered a ribeye steak tonight. The manager had the integrity to let me know they slice their steaks AS THEY'RE BEING ORDERED. Yeah. You read that correctly. In short, this kitchen does not practice preemptive prep for their products. You can imagine how much this slows down production. She also asked how we ordered our meats (as in what temp). I know where she was going with this, but honestly...it didn't matter.
End of the night, the place was so backed up with orders thanks to their bizarre practices in kitchen prep, they had NO hope in keeping up with orders in a manner that would have satisfied the entire house of guests as a whole. Oh...that's another thing; the place wasn't even packed the gills or anything like that. Yet other tables seated way after us were getting their food before us. So, to recap and summarize..
Service was sweet, cordial and that poor waitress was trying her ass off to make sure we had a delightful time. None of what happened tonight was her fault. And the manager tried to make things right the best she could as well (we did actually get free desserts at the end of the night....which featured undercooked apples, but whatever). The unfortunate fact here is no amount of cordiality can do much for a disorganized, backed up, apathetic kitchen. Because while the steak I had was...shockingly well seasoned and perfectly cooked, the kitchen missed the mark on most (if not all) of the sides. The baked potato had a modest amount of butter and sour cream, the steak fries were raw, and one of our salads had a potato in it. A...potato. Just...let that sink in for a minute.
I think Rib Hut needs to hire a new prep cook. Because for the time being, this place is worthy of about 2 tardy salads with a side of nonessential potato out of 5.
And why is there a drive thru window?! read more