Michael P.
Yelp
I came here with an open mind. First off, I'll be rating based on the food and service and I'll go on record saying it's generous giving 4 stars. I wish yelp allowed half stars.
This is not a spot you'll come to get a quick dinner and get out on a Friday/Saturday night. Our service was very slow, but the place is large and there were about 4 servers there so not exactly a lot to cover all that ground and tables. Our server was very polite and even brought us some complimentary chips as an apology for the wait it took between taking drink orders and food orders.
The food: the smoked wings were fantastic. Good flavor, crisp snappy skin that wasn't chewy. The flavor we got that used a dry rub was a little weak, but the sauced one was delicious. Overall, great execution in the wings.
I was between a couple options. I decided to go with the chicken bbq bowl and al la carte Brisket because I just needed to try it. Good lord, it was an absurd amount of food. I see some reviews on here complaining about the price but dollar to portion size ratio seemed perfectly acceptable to me (especially on the brisket, I ordered a 1/2lb and surely got at least 3/4).
The chicken bowl could have used a little more sauce. They topped with a bbq sauce drizzle and I think it could have used more plus some kind of fat-based sauce like an aioli or even their Alabama white sauce. The mashed potatoes were plentiful, but made for a pretty monotone dish. I would have liked some acidity brought to the table. Some pickled red onion or pico de gallo would have been super nice. There was crispy corn and texturally and flavor wise, I loved that. Overall, would recommend for a hungry patron, maybe just ask for some extra sauce or some fresh pico on the side which they would probably be happy to provide.
The brisket wasn't the best I've ever had. But man, it was a portion and a half. $18 for a 1/2lb serving is pretty standard. Like I mentioned, I definitely got more. So I made out on this deal. My slices were half and half from the flat and the point. The flat is almost always on the drier side but the point should not be. This brisket was overcooked. When you went to do the pull test it just kind of fell apart. Regardless, with the mustard bbq sauce and sweet bbq sauce they provided I was a happy camper. Not elite level bbq by any means, but it would for sure scratch the itch if you're in the mood for it.
Now, I do have to mention.. There was live music and the performers were honestly hard to listen to.. It got to a point where it was so bad that it was good. The looks on the faces when you scanned the room were a unanimous, "What. Is. Happening. Right.now.".. Please, for the love of all that is good, please just play a soundtrack off of spotify. It would have been so much more enjoyable and it was so absurdly loud that I could barely hear my friends. Thankfully we were all able to catch up but.. Yeah. Had to mention that.
Takeaway, slow pace of service, average food but great portions (my friends both got massive burritos and loved them), awful music, BUT, great casual setting to go and b.s. with the guy pals. I probably wouldn't take someone here on a date, though. We all agreed, we'd go back. I have to emphasize the use case for this restaurant, if you're expecting a perfect dining experience and you have very high standards for service, you'll rate a 2 or 3. Knowing this would be a "local bar and super casual Tavern" type vibe, my expectations were greatly tempered and we had a great time.