Mixed Feelings on My Visit to Bar-B-Que House
During my recent visit to Bar-B-Que House, I was eager to indulge in a hearty BBQ meal, having ordered a slab of ribs, pulled pork, and brisket, which amounted to a lot of money. My anticipation was heightened by the selection of sauces available, which, to my delight, were the highlight of the meal. I sampled all four varieties offered and found them to be incredibly flavorful and arguably the best sauces I've ever had.
However, my enthusiasm declined considerably when it came to the meats themselves. Despite my willingness to invest in quality food, the meats I received were disappointingly dry, just like the other reviewers had mentioned in reference to the dryness. The ribs were so parched and dehydrated, that removing the membrane produced a crinkling sound, reminiscent of dry paper being torn away, underscoring the lack of essential moisture. If the meat is so dry that it compromises the dining experience, it's better to discard it and start anew rather than serve an inferior product to the customer. No rub was added to the meats, further contributing to their blandness. The lack of moisture made it challenging to enjoy them without the aid of water to help swallow. Furthermore, the anticipated smoky flavor that is quintessential to BBQ was notably absent, leaving the meats rather bland without the addition of the excellent sauces. Unfortunately, the experience also left me with a sour stomach, which was disappointing.
The service at Bar-B-Que House, however, was impeccable. The staff was friendly and welcoming, contributing to an enjoyable atmosphere. It's evident that the restaurant excels in customer service and ambiance, making it a pleasant place to dine in or carry out.
I've observed from previous customer reviews that the owner's responses often come across as negative, attacking, and defensive, making customers feel bad rather than addressing the core issues. This approach of denying, justifying, and looking for excuses rather than focusing on constructive solutions detracts from the overall experience. Furthermore, the owner attacks the reviewers in a childlike manner, further undermining the restaurant's credibility. Should this happen to me as well, I will reconsider my rating, potentially dropping it from a 2 to a 1.
As someone who appreciates both great and not-so-great BBQ, it pains me to say that Bar-B-Que House did not meet my expectations based on this experience. The dryness and lack of flavor in the meats were significant drawbacks, despite the exceptional quality of the sauces and the service.
I had contemplated rating my experience as a 1 but decided on a 2, acknowledging the superb sauces and the staff's friendliness. While it's challenging to leave such a review for a place with such friendly, pleasant, and warm service, I believe it's important for future patrons to have a realistic set of expectations. My hope was to celebrate a fantastic BBQ meal, but unfortunately, the meats did not live up to that anticipation.