Critic's Review
Last Week we reported that Texas Hold em had taken over the cursed location that seems to have a new name every year. We speculated that it might be too close to this location to be successful; well that's not going to be a problem, because this location is closed.
This location at the bend may be the 2nd worse location in all of Fort Lauderdale, at least on a main drag. So they've moved from the second worst location to the Worst Location.
Maybe the problem is that when Jeremy was selling inexpensive BBQ from the big smoker it seemed like a fairly priced option for lunch; but when he raised his prices to be the highest priced BBQ in the city; well maybe it's just not good enough?
On my first visit, they didn't have any lunch specials; they were trying to push a higher end menu which they've since abandoned. I looked over it and I asked what a spare rib dinner included; they told me 4 spare ribs and 2 small sides. I wanted to try the babyback ribs and they didn't have a small version of that, so I ordered a half rack, which included 2 large sides.
When the food was ready the bartender/server popped it into a bag and handed the package to me without checking the contents.
When I opened it I was a bit surprised; usually baby backs aren't separated, and it just didn't seem like very much food for $19.03. There were only 6 ribs; if it was $11 for 4 ribs $17.95 isn't a very good deal for 6, even with the bigger sides. After all, how much is cole slaw really worth? I expected to get 2 meals out of it, but it was only enough for 1. No bread or cornbread with the order either.
The cole slaw was very lightly dressed; it was almost like plain cabbage with a very mild dressing. Better than swimming it sweetened mayo, but not really cole slaw either. The beans are in a thick, sweet sauce and they're pretty good. The ribs themselves were a bit dry and a polar opposite of the moist ribs I'd had at the Smokehouse in Boca last week. They really didn't have much taste. They didn't remind me of the ribs I'd had the first time I went to Texas Hold'em BBQ, which were much more flavorful and pre-sauced. They give you the sauce on the side; it's a very good sauce. I know that's how a lot of places serve ribs down here, but it's a very different taste. Putting the sauce on the dry ribs is just a different experience.
On my second visit they had lunch specials, and I went for the brisket sandwich, along with cole slaw. The slaw had been different from the other place, and I wanted to see if it was just a new opening thing. The brisket sandwich with 1 side is $9.
They put rough cut slices on a cold hamburger bun; it would be a lot better if they toasted the bun or gave a sturdier bun like a Kaiser. The brisket was about half right; not very tender but not overly dry, but without any flavor without the sauce. It had a smokey taste, but it was like they smoked it with no seasoning, and it wasn't very moist. Jeremy's sauce is a bit spicy, and the brisket was better with the sauce. Still not tender enough. Nothing I'd order again. The cole slaw was about the same; like plain cabbage with a very light dressing. I added salt and pepper and it was edible.
I'm not sure what the deal with this place is; when Texas Hold'em first opened downtown it was really good. The place seems completely different. I can't say that I like it.
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