AZ Barbeque.com
BBQ Related Topics => BBQ Restaurants => Topic started by: AzJohnnyC on December 16, 2009, 08:38:15 pm
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On Thunderbird, just east of 32nd street. The atmosphere was nil. Plain white walls, no decor at all, the only hint you're in a BBQ joint is the rolls of paper towels on the tables and faint smell in the air inside. The service was what you'd expect from a new place. Little or no knowledge of BBQ or the menu. The waiter had to check to see if the tenderloin on the menu was pork or not. My wife took a bite of the pulled pork sandwich and said the meat tasted spoiled, so I immediately poured sauce on mine and concurred. It was at least edible that way. The brisket wasn't too bad, though it was shredded and hard to discern from the pork as it was more or less lumped together. Portions were small, especially for the price. Ginger's small bowl of cole slaw was only a third of the way full and my platter seemed barren, except for the fries, which were good. A mix of fries and sweet potato fries. I tried the spicy jalapeno cornbread which had an ok flavor, but was dry, as was the bun Ginger's sandwich was on. The mac and cheese was average, at best. I paid an extra 2.50 for a small, way overcooked rib. Sad, because the flavor was there. After I signed the credit card slip, I noticed they charged us for an extra soda, and my wife didn't even get a refill. I hate to post a negative review of the place, but I figured you should be warned. I'm kinda bummed, because this place is so close to home. Thee Pitts is worth the drive.
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Thanks for the honest review. Nothing worse than paying good money for second class food and service.
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Thats terrible....Thanks for the tip
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Took the family there last week..... we were excited because it's close for us also..... unfortunately we had the same experience.... my youngest daughter actually said there was something wrong cuz it didn't taste good and wanted to go home and fire up our smoker. Still searching, but Dickey's is good during the search for more great BBQ joints in AZ.
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As soon as I walked in there and saw the prices. I walked right out. Im glad I waited for a review before I ate there. The sad thing is, I drive by the place everyday and the parking lot is full.
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They're going to be opening up a second location at Desert Ridge, by Islands.
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Took the family there last week..... we were excited because it's close for us also..... unfortunately we had the same experience.... my youngest daughter actually said there was something wrong cuz it didn't taste good and wanted to go home and fire up our smoker. Still searching, but Dickey's is good during the search for more great BBQ joints in AZ.
I'm still tryin' to get Grady's some business. He's on the East side of 19th Avenue, just south of Cactus. Nearly just a store front. He used to be an instructor at Cordon Bleu or ACI...I think Scottsdale/Cordon Bleu. His BBQ sauce is pretty dad gum good, too. The 'Hot' version is incredible.
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They're going to be opening up a second location at Desert Ridge, by Islands.
I bet that one won't last,overhead is too much up there.I bet the one at 32nd street and T-bird won't be there long either,high prices and bad food won't keep them open long.
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Has anyone been to Bone Daddy's in TX www.bonedaddys.com I've never been but I understand it's like a Hooters with BBQ... Now why in the world hasn't anyone done that here??? I've always said it would be awesome to turn the old "suggar daddys" into a place like that. Wherever it would be it would need to have a HUGE outdoor patio.
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Check this out... http://www.facebook.com/#!/notes/andrew-knowlton/best-restaurant-name-of-the-year-2010/343517639516
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NPIG got a pretty good review in the paper today
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Maybe I was there on a bad day.
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Maybe I was there on a bad day.
I don't know Johnny, I heard alot of not so great stuff about it. I haven't tried it yet because of what I have been hearing.
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I haven't tried it either, plus its no where close to home
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I'm still stumping for Grady's on 19th Avenue.
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Here's today's article:
http://www.azcentral.com/thingstodo/dining/articles/2010/02/11/20100211notoriouspig.html
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One bad review that they stepped up on and responded, then everything else is good.
I am going to try to get in there and meet them.. Have to see which reviews are true..
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Just posted a comment on this article. Always have to get our Club Plug in there.. LOL
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I love how the "owner" (am thinking that's who it is) commented on someone else's comment about how they have worked out the kinks as BBQ is an "imperfect art". Believe me, as a competitor, I understand not always being consistent but I can pretty much guarantee that the majority of our stuff is consistent. Whether or not it's good is something to be determined at Havasu but, if you are opening a restaurant, you $h!t better be decent and edible majority of the time.
Nice plug too Mike ;)
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Nice plug Mike - anyone want to meet up for lunch there tomorrow around 12:00?
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Hummm That might be doable... Won't know until morning though. Have to see how the day pans out.
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Just talked with Smitty, we are going to meet for lunch at Noon if anyone wants to join us.
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Noon it is - I spoke with Chris and he may meet us there as well. Hope to see some more members join us for lunch today!
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Make sure to report back. I'm interested to see what you guys think.
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Any takers for lunch today at 12:00 @ Notorious P.I.G.? It at 32nd St. & Thunderbird.
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I'll be there...
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You'd probably get more takers if you tell everyone you're buying. :)
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Just got back from lunch with Chris, Mike, and Tim. I had the 2 meat combo w/ 2 sides. Brisket and pulled pork with a rib bone on the side, mac and cheese, and sweet potato fries. The pork was OK, lacking a little flavor. The rib bone was not so hot - falling off of the bone and had a strange texture and rub taste to it. The Brisket however was one of the best I have had at any BBQ restaurant here in the valley. Cooked perfectly, very moist, and had great flavor. The mac and cheese was watery but sweet potato fries were pretty good. We tried the jalapeno cornbread and sweet cornbread - I thought both were OK, nothing special. I like how they have the sauce on the table and not covered all over the meat. They have a hot BBQ sauce that I liked and I thought the service was good. We met two of the owners and they took us back to the kitchen to show us the smoker - Old Hickory Smoker. They use mostly Pecan wood but mix Pecan and Mesquite when smoking Brisket. They said they will be opening another location in Desert Ridge in a few months. I'm sure Chris, Mike, and Tim will add some more info soon.
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Overall pretty good! I ordered the pulled pork sandwich with slaw with a side of ranch beans. I thought the beans were really good. The sandwich was good as well. Nice smoke flavor to the pork and the slaw is always a nice compliment to this type of sandwich cause even if the meat is a little dry the juice from the slaw adds moisture. It was cool having the chance to meet the owners and liked that they took us back to the kitchen to check out the smoker. for only being open for 2 months I can see where they may get some mixed reviews but I can see this place working it out and becoming one of the better BBQ spots to eat in the valley.
If you get a chance, give it a shot (or another one if you've already) I'll definitely go back to try some more stuff... Probably after BBQ season cause I have a funny feeling that I'm not going to crave the Q anytime soon after this next weekend.
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They're busy sponsoring a track meet up in Scottsdale. It seems like they would get more bang for their buck sponsoring the BBQ Club over a track meet.
http://phoenixbobcats.org/pb/wp_1447894b/wp_1447894b.html
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They're busy sponsoring a track meet up in Scottsdale. It seems like they would get more bang for their buck sponsoring the BBQ Club over a track meet.
http://phoenixbobcats.org/pb/wp_1447894b/wp_1447894b.html
There are 4 owners so probably one of the owners kids is in track. Mike spoke to them about coming onboard as a sponsor and they said they will check out the website. The two owners we spoke to were really cool and I hope to see them at one of our events coming up soon.
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Finally just got home.
I really enjoyed our experience there today. The staff was great as were the two owners we met, very friendly and passionate in talking about BBQ.
It was cool getting to see the kitchen & smoker, they were certainly busy.
I ordered the Catfish combo with Beans & Mac & Cheese. I could have sworn I ordered Jalapeno Mac & Cheese, but maybe I was hallucinating. It was good, but as Smitty said, a bit watery. The beans as Chris stated were pretty good. Better than I have tasted in most BBQ Restaurants.
The Catfish was very moist & tender, but needs to be spiced up a bit. Not bad, just more on the bland side.
Overall, a good experience and I know I will certainly eat there again..
Fun meeting up and talking with Smitty, Chris & Tim. Always a great time.. ;)
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My wife and I ate there this evening and we had mixed reviews. The staff was very, very young, a little bit clueless but passionate. We has an awesome pulled chicken, very moist with lots and lots of flavor. The Hot Links were great as well. Both the pulled pork and the ribs were way too smoky. They use Mesquite wood and it was just to strong. The Brisket was good flavorwise but we got the fatty part so it wasnt really something you would go back and ask for more of. The sides were okay and my wife loved the cornbread...
So final verdict - has potential and an awesome pulled chicken
DaSwede
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WTF? They're popping up everywhere! I was just driving down Stapely in Mesa and saw ANOTHER location on the corner at 8th Avenue. Maybe someone on that side can review that location.
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WTF? They're popping up everywhere! I was just driving down Stapely in Mesa and saw ANOTHER location on the corner at 8th Avenue. Maybe someone on that side can review that location.
We went ther lastnight and I will be honest it was terrible. To start the soda machine was broken, I ordered the 3 meat combo with ham, brisket and pulled pork. I ate a bit of everything and the best thing was the ham. For my sides I got soggy fries and awful mac and cheese it didn't have any flavor. My girl got the sliders 1 pork, 1 hot link and 1 jalapeno cheese sausage the sausages were ok nothing great. The atmosphere was not so good kinda loud music that was on 98.3 I think and it was filled with music and static. I will not be returning again. We need a good bbq joint in the eastvalley.
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We went ther lastnight and I will be honest it was terrible. To start the soda machine was broken, I ordered the 3 meat combo with ham, brisket and pulled pork. I ate a bit of everything and the best thing was the ham. For my sides I got soggy fries and awful mac and cheese it didn't have any flavor. My girl got the sliders 1 pork, 1 hot link and 1 jalapeno cheese sausage the sausages were ok nothing great. The atmosphere was not so good kinda loud music that was on 98.3 I think and it was filled with music and static. I will not be returning again. We need a good bbq joint in the eastvalley.
Have you tried J. Ruggs on Baseline?
Check it out: http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/22/1490257/restaurant/Phoenix/J-Ruggs-Southern-BBQ-Mesa
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I hate to say it because I want new restaurants to do well but I was completely unimpressed with the Notorious PIG sandwich that I had last week at the Desert Ridge location. Five us of went for lunch and the consensus was 5 of us wouldn't be going back. Food didn't have much flavor and the pork was swimming in fat. Restaurant atmosphere and service was good though. I could go on but the number one thing they need to work on is the flavor of the food rather than expanding too much and telling you how great their method of cooking the food is. I get a strong feeling they are looking for a corporation to buy them, pocket the money, and move on. There's nothing wrong with that but first things firs.
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Has anyone been to Bone Daddy's in TX www.bonedaddys.com I've never been but I understand it's like a Hooters with BBQ... Now why in the world hasn't anyone done that here??? I've always said it would be awesome to turn the old "suggar daddys" into a place like that. Wherever it would be it would need to have a HUGE outdoor patio.
I've been there. Just like you described it and the food was pretty decent. Second the opinion on a local opening, but I'm always skeptical about a chain.
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I know this is an old thread, but I thought I'd post a personal story about Notorious P.I.G. My stepdaughter works as a bartender while going to ASU. She started at the Desert Ridge location shortly after they opened. She hates pork, so couldn't review it for me. Since her and my wife were fighting, I never got to try it either. Recently, they went through ownership problems and she left the Desert Ridge location to work at the Thunderbird location. She currently tends bar there. They had to change their name to the Hammered Hog because of the ownership legal issues. Im not sure, but can find out which of the original owners runs that location. She swears they are great people!
Since this is on the other side of town from, me, I have yet to get there, so I cant give my 2 cents. But the good news is my wife and step daughter have made up and we hope to get there soon. If any AZ BBQ members want to give it a try again, say hi to Jen behind the bar. If you want to give her a hard time, tell her the pork is great (whether true or not), but expect some smart ass comeback :angel: - she's good at that. And I would bet the owners would appreciate a good critique as well since they are trying to get established again.
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Since this thread has been used again I will put my 2 cents worth in. Of the 6 BBQ places I have eaten at N PIG was by far the worst. That was late this summer. My wife agreed and we won't go back to them. That said, We did go this week to Q to U in Anthem, about 60 mile drive one way. This best I have had out of the 6 places and will stop in again as I drive 17.