Bud C.
Yelp
For openers, if you believe as does the Brown Shoe Gourmet that the best barbecue is usually in the worst part of town in a joint with bars on the window and just enough grease on the table to be able to write your initials, then this place falls short on two of three counts.... but it's still one of the best in the area.
It's a family operation in a not so great part of town with too few tables and not enough parking that serves up world class pork, some very good ribs and excellent pulled chicken - along with some far better than most sides.
Too good to be true?
There must be something where they fall short; yes, they don't offer Brunswick Stew, they provide buns rather than thin sliced white bread, the meat on the ribs falls off the bone, not because they pare boil them (a felony crime in some states), but rather because between the smoking and grilling (a 12 hour process) they steam them. Wish they didn't, but they do. And they were out of T shirts.
They advertise as a Barbecue Diner, but the closest they come to being a diner is offering barbecue (how do they do that?) hot dogs, hamburgers and fried bologna. Why?
One of the quirks of the place is that they offer what are termed French fries and home fries. The French fries are of the frozen variety; the home fries are hand cut, freshly deep fried. One is crispy but bland, the other full flavor Idaho potatoes at their best. Easy decision. Three sauces: standard thick red, good but not really distinctive,; a hot sauce (the original with additives) and a too mustardy option.
Metro Greenville has more than its fair share of barbecue - Mike and Jeff's is one of the best if not The.
The other sides we tried were all far above average. The sweet potato soufflé was excellent, the baked beans had a good 'cue flavor, and the slaw was finely minced, sweet full flavor, one of the best we've enjoyed of late.
The hush puppies, we're told, are also very good. They list (frozen) onion rings, but I'm not sure why.
It's a family run operation meaning the service is good and they really do want to make sure you enjoy your meal.
Their combo dinners worked best for us and were more than one person should be required to eat. For all of $9.95 the Brown Shoe Gourmet had the rib and pork combo. Three ribs and a generous shot of pork plus the two sides, home fries and slaw. One of the best bargains we've come across. Afterwards, the waitress (not sure whether she's with Jeff or Mike) confided the combo was more than enough for two - and she was right.
Metro Greenville has a lot of barbecue; Mike and Jeff's is one of the best if not The.