Yard*bird Smoked Meats
| Address: | 1978 Cass Lake Rd, Keego Harbor, MI 48320, USA |
| Phone: | +1 248-681-2124 |
| Site: | yardbirdsmokedmeats.com |
| Rating: | 4.2 |
| Working: | 4–10PM 4–10PM 4–10PM 4–10PM 4–10PM 12–11PM 11AM–8:30PM |
Location
Photos 74
Reviews 9
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Tarek Hantour
When you walk into the shabby chić atmosphere of the hole-in-the-wallesque establishment youre immediately greeted by two bubbly young ladies who find high levels of satisfaction just in your choice of seating. Right when youre seated, youre brought a cup of water, whether you want it or not (but who doesnt?). After approximately five minutes of your soul marinading in the mouthwatering aroma of soul food, youre drawn back to reality by a waitress that seems to know just how hungry you are. She quickly takes the floor and begins to describe appetizers that God knows you cant say no to. We ordered burnt ends...we got little blackened pieces of heaven instead. So satisfied with our apps, we both ordered brisket. The brisket is accompanied by side orders of Mac n cheese , fries and a corner piece of corn bread. The brisket, once again, was exquisite, the sides were either mediocre or just gravely outshined by the brisket. If the uncanny emulation of what the brisket in paradise is like didnt satisfy you alone, there are a handful of sauces that you may or may not fantasize about while eating Jimmy Johns the day after. All in all, the place is worth the 40 minute drive. Ill be seeing them again shortly, this time with an elastic waistband.
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Clay Carpenter
I have been wanting to try this place for a while. We walked in excited. The decor and open air seating is perfect. Wouldnt change a thing in that respect. As for the food, we were disappointed in the entire experience. We ordered Gumbo for an app. I have been to New Orleans several times and this was not like any gumbo that I have ever tasted. It looked like it had all the right components, but way to much vinegar. I ordered the brisket as my entrée. It was super dry and really nothing to write home about. The mac and cheese was comparable to or possibly could have been simply Velveeta cheese. Not at all what you would expect from a place that caters to people who love southern cooking. Event the corn bread was lacking. My suggestion to the owners is to take a trip to Texas, Kansas City, Georgia, and New Orleans to taste real southern cooking. If you cant take that much time off, take a drive over to Royal Oak and visit Lockharts to see how amazing it can taste if done right. As someone who lives to eat food that is full of flavor, I would say that this place is a swing and a miss. Oh well.
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Dan K
We did not even get to eat after being turned off by a tuned out host. We walked in, and were promptly greeted by the host. He asked for how many in our party, two. He said OK, grabbed two menus, told us to wait at the host stand. He disappeared for five minutes. When our tuned out host reappeared, he asked how many in our party. We said two, again. He walked us all the way to the back of the dining area. Then he said, "Oh, a party of two, it will be a 20-minute wait." The dining room is tiny. The building is tiny. How could the host be so unaware of his dining room to (1) disappear for five minutes, and then (2) bring us to the back of the dining room and say it would be a 20-minute wait? Besides reviewing the host, I can tell you it is a nice looking building that is trying to build upon the urban bar-b-q theme popular in SE Michigan. Options are plenty so we wont be returning to learn about the food at this business.
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Jennifer Williams
Not bad! Tuesday night so the crowd was light. The service was excellent! Our server was able to answer all our questions and make good recommendations. I suggest you try the Pig Pies or Pig Cakes.. It is an appetizer. You wont be disappointed. It is a unique twist on pulled pork. I ordered pulled pork with roasted apples and smashed potatoes. It was very good. I always use Slows as a gauge for good bbq. The pulled pork here was just as good! If I could add an item to the menu it would be mashed sweet potatoes. If I could improve on an item it would be the cornbread and the mac n cheese. The cornbread had pieces of jalepano which I did not care for. I think it can be improved on. Definately pay this place a visit. Prices are reasonable. $14 for pulled pork dinner was a fair price. We all left full and happy. We plan to go back and even grabbed a carry out menu.
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Mytagforhalo
Food was excellent and you get a good meal with the dinner for 2+ combos (quarter slab of ribs, two other meat selections (pulled pork, brisket, ECT) and two sides per person). They get 18.50 per person. Though the prices across the board are not particularly impressive. But the quality is there. However, the waitress we had was completely useless. She asked us twice if we wanted butter for the bread. We replied yes, and both times she never returned. She then repeated the same behavior when we went to box the meal, saying that she would get us cups for the sauce to go. Low and behold, we never got them. Heck, another waitress filled out drinks. The whole ordeal really put a bad tarnish on an otherwise good meal. Wish I would have bothered to get the womans name.
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Nathan Hargreaves
Simply addicted. New favorite Saturday night spot hands down. The food is a 9.5/10 and Ive had almost everything on the menu! The contractor burger has to be my favorite item, but eater beware; get the 1/4 lbs size as its about a foot tall!!! Atmosphere is simple, tacky, just the way a bbq joint should be. The staff has been hit or miss over the last 2 years, but recently (summer 16) they hit the jackpot. Try the brisket, the fried chicken, pulled pork, sausage, even the salmon is done well. This place hits the mark as the best and only place like it in the area. Way to go Yardbird!
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Chloe Traynor
The food here, was amazing. However, our service was AWFUL. Our waitresses was MIA almost the whole entire time. Also, the power went out, that was uncontrollable but how the manger, who wore ALL white, tonight handled it was absurd. She screamed at her employees in the center of the restaurant, where everyone could hear. She also demanded that the gentlemen at my table stand up so they could put the garage door up. She did not say please. This place could get 5 stars but the employees, the one manager especially didnt make the cut. I hope they fix this problem.
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matt fish
Treat regular customers terribly! So all last summer, I parked at Yardbirds, went onto Cass lake, and ate dinner there, afterwards, just because of ease. Tonight, I found my vehicle had been towed and the staff/management physically removed me from the restaurant while Im trying to find out the location of my vehicle. Needless to say, I wont be parking or eating at Yardbirds ever again. Honestly, the barbecue is fair at best, but it was close and easy. Never again. Goodbye, Yardbirds!
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Kaley B.
If I could rate zero I would. My mom worked here for about 2 weeks, the lady, Paula, who owns the business doesnt care at all about the employees and what is going on in their lives. She is down right cruel and mean, and she harrassed my mom and almost refused to pay her. They screwed her out of money and she is just awful. Ive never had their food and i dont care to try, if the management is that heartless I dont even care to try it.
