AL
Google
I stopped by this American barbecue food truck that I’d had saved on my list for quite a while and finally decided to try it. I ordered the beef ribs, which are sold in limited quantities each day and priced based on weight. I chose the 260-gram portion, which came to around ¥7,500.
In terms of execution, the beef ribs themselves were genuinely good. The meat was well-marinated, fall-off-the-bone tender, and clearly prepared with care. The sauces provided had solid flavor profiles, and overall, the seasoning was on point. From a purely taste perspective, the barbecue delivered.
That said, the value proposition is where things start to fall apart. For ¥7,500, the portion felt more like a snack than a proper meal. Alongside the ribs, the plate came with a small serving of nachos with chilies, an extremely small salad, and a very flat, minimal portion of rice—which you can clearly see in the photo. For this price point, it would be reasonable to expect more substantial sides: proper greens, candied or roasted vegetables, cornbread, or something that adds both volume and balance to the meal. What was served felt noticeably underwhelming relative to the cost.
The setting further complicates the pricing. This is a food truck with open-air, foldable seating, yet drinks—such as canned beer—are priced at an additional ¥700. While that might be acceptable in a restaurant environment, it feels excessive given the casual setup.
To be clear, this isn’t a bad place. The flavors are good, and if you’re in the area and specifically craving American-style barbecue, it’s worth trying once. However, expectations should be managed: you’re paying restaurant-level prices for food truck portions and ambiance, and you should not expect to leave feeling particularly full.