Joshua Mann
Google
After hearing the buzz about Skytown...coupled with the fact that I didn't feel like going to the grocery store this evening, it was time to try some local BBQ for dinner.
FOOD: The Texas Brisket Sandwich w/ Mac 'N Beer-Cheese Premium Side & Indiana Pork Tenderloin Sandwich. Comparing this BBQ brisket against the best BBQ brisket I have tasted in Texas...Skytown competes. The brisket was tender, moist & packed full of smoky flavor. I am uncertain which wood is used to smoke & cook their meat...but it offers light, sweet notes, as if Applewood or Cherrywood was used in the process. Delicious!! The Mac 'N Beer-Cheese was a premium side, upgraded with the brisket sandwich meal and it also delivers. The noodles were cooked well (not al dente & not mushy) & were blended in with ooey-gooey, warm cheese. The cheese blend with Skytown's personal brew infused, is subtle and adequate. The flavor of beer in the cheese is not overpowering, which makes me believe a pilsner, light lager or pale ale was chosen over an IPA. I did add a little salt and pepper for additional seasoning but not much. The STAR of this meal was the Indiana Pork Tenderloin Sandwich!!! Wow! Being a native Hoosier from Indianapolis for 38 years...we know tenderloin sandwiches. This tenderloin took me back home to Indiana with that first bite. The breading was sublime and had just the right crunch. Add mayo, pickle and lettuce to it, and you have an incredible tenderloin sandwich! SCORE: 4.3 STARS!!
SERVICE: Queue in...Joe! This guy is really good at what he does and is a valuable asset for Skytown. As I ordered a beer, he recommended the Das Boot brew after I informed him of my top beers. Joe also allowed me to try a few other samples just to gauge my interest...but his recommendation was my favorite of the tastings. Then...it seemed as if every patron chose to stop in all at one time....on a Tuesday evening. Aside from kitchen staff, it appeared poor Joe was all alone on this cruise as every passenger boarded. At one point I did witness 1 arriving couple get up and leave. Joe, it appeared, was the only person in the dining / bar / brewery area...serving approx. 30 guests. Although this was a Tues. evening & it may be projected to be a "slower" evening...I was surprised to see just Joe...poor Joe...doing all he could with no assistance. If Skytown had proper staffing with just one more employee, on this evening...I may have given five Stars. But...the personal service slowed down to a crawl, I did not get the chance to order another beer before I could finish my meal, and there simply needed to be one more person there to compliment Joe's exceptional service. SCORE: 3.2 STARS!!
OVERALL SCORE: Everything lined up to be a solid visit....until an influx of guests arrived without adequate staff to serve everyone in a timely manner. The food is really delicious, the Das Boot beer was solid and if you get Joe...you'll more than likely be very pleased. I feel very comfortable, fair and honest in my scoring for this evening. I'll be back again. SCORE: 3.8 STARS!!