Needs a 2nd Chance, but Not a 3rd
I'll have to give this place another go and update, but the summary was that they give you a BIG-ass Pork bbq sammich, of really good quality, for a reasonable price for the amount and quality of the meat. But most other things in this first experience were wanting, including the "don't give a d--n" cashiers. .
I'll just go for it and people can ask question in comments I guess:
- they were out of coleslaw for the sandwiches by 6pm. That's not really acceptable for a BBQ place. The server seemed nonplussed like, "yeah - sorry - we're out. So what do you want to order?" She didn't seem to have much subject matter expertise regarding working in a BBQ place.
- no bulk meat or sides sales - all items ala Carte I single serve sizes. Suggest rethinking that -although- I understand it's tough to do it you're not operating at a certain capacity fit for that. These folks clearly aren't (see above). So - don't take this advice if you can't turn over meat every day.
- I asked for side cups featuring one of each of their sauces so we could try both, and received one - i assume or the mild. My server -insisted- both were in the bag and when she kept pointing as proof to one of the large containers, which incorrectly believed to be the beans side we ordered, she was not willing to do more sauce.
Maybe she was afraid they'd run out of sauce, like with the Cole slaw. Way to save the business. I helped myself to other available sauces on the way out.
- the sides are $4 for a small side. I didn't find the quality of the side we ordered (baked beans) to be bursting with unicorns so they're not really working the value angle here. But you'll see below, without doing the research I assume this is run by hipster restauranteurs so value isn't really going to be their angle.
- the wings.
I was told specifically about them from neighbors because I love wings.
.
The wings are very good, if you want basically mini heavy fried chicken wings (southern style - ie with coating) that then has sauce dribbled on. They were moist and the sauce was, as I said, sort of splashed on. I'm a spin wing, extra crispy with no coating wing guy (ex velocity wings, wing factory) so this wasn't my favorite wing ever but they were pretty good.
So - i can't really qualify this as a "bbq joint" because it's clearly a hipster restauranteur saying "I want to do BBQ!" while reviewing the books of his other ventures while high on the weekend, and doing their sort of interpretation of it. That's fine. But it's like if you took the idea of BBQ, wrote it down, translated it through five languages then back to English - that's the general impression I got from the experience.
But if you want something more akin to a "joint" offering correct options on sides, quantity, sauce and service, there's Willard's, Rocklands, and of course many others to consider in the region.
Pro: quality of the meat in sandwich, size of portion - those are essential, and for their failings they nail that. Also good bun.
Cons: see above. Would love to comment on slaw quality but since they had run out by dinner time that was difficult. Hire new front end staff.
Not open Monday's at this (Sterling) location. read more