Bam Bams BBQ

Reviews 6

MA

Marcus Wickes

Ive eaten at a lot of BBQ restaurants, particularly along the Wasatch Front. I would rate Bam Bams in the middle of the pack. I dont dislike it, but I wouldnt go out of my way to eat here either. We walked right up to order without a wait on a Friday night (usually not a good sign for a restaurant). The restaurant employees were helpful, but didnt seem particularly knowledgeable (I actually LOVE strong opinions when I ask "what is your favorite dish"... I hate the answer "oh I dont know, theyre all good - translated, "I dont care, just order") We ordered a 1/4 pound of turkey (better than most, but not as good as Big Als smoked turkey down the road in Provo), 1/4 pound of brisket (our favorite meat choice), and a pulled pork sandwich (decent pork, but even the employees said that they usually dont like the pork). They only had 2 side choices (they were out of the 3rd choice of beans), the coleslaw (not my favorite), and potato salad (waaaay too much mustard for our taste). The food is served on paper on a school tray--points for being unique, but kind of a strange way to eat meat just thrown on paper (see my picture). In my opinion, the sauces are what turned me off with this place. Ive eaten meat before that was so juicy and flavorful that you dont need bbq sauce, but most meat flavors are enhanced by a good sauce. Bam Bams sauces (tangy and sweet) are essentially 98% vinegar with some stuff thrown in. Seriously, I didnt even have to squeeze the bottle... it just poured out all over the paper on the tray (another reason I didnt love the way the food is served... too difficult to pour a little sauce and dip the meat like you would fries in ketchup). Granted, Im not a fan of vinegar, but even my wife who loves vinegar was turned off by the sauces. We ended up eating our meats mostly without any sauce (luckily they were moist... points for that). Overall, I think this place has room to improve. The atmosphere is great, the smell not as bad as other smokey bbq joints (although my coworkers went for lunch and smelled a little like bbq back at the office), the service is reasonable, the sauces are sub-par, and the food is just average. I love bbq so I might stop in again if Im driving past with my window open, but Ill wait a while to give them time to improve.

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AN

Andrew Adair

Unfortunately, this place was pretty disappointing. Ive heard amazing things about this place for a couple years and finally made it here for lunch. We got brisket, pork, turkey and ribs and only the brisket was good. The turkey had a smoky flavor, but not much else going on. Ribs were peppery but very little meat on them. The pork had a weird texture to it... too mushy. We also got sides: coleslaw, beans, mac & cheese, and potato salad. The coleslaw was pretty good and different because it had a little spiciness going on, but was a bit dry and could have used more dressing. The mac & cheese cost a dollar more than "regular sides" but for no good reason; it was pretty bland cheesiness which was only slightly made up for with bacon crumbled on to but it was overall to oily. The beans tasted like chili powder and thats all. The potato salad was unique and spicy and had a strong vinegar/sour pickle flavor. The one positive about sides is that they were decent portions for the price. I just wish they tasted better. So overall we walked out happy with only 1 menu item: the brisket. Everything else was "just ok" to "not good". And worst of all, it was $46! For lunch! For 2 adults and a kid! Way too expensive for way disappointing food. Weve been taste testing all of the local BBQ joints in the valley, and this was the most expensive with the worst food. We wont be back.

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TY

Tyler Slack

This review is long overdue. Ill admit that I had to come here twice before I was hooked, but I am frickin HOOKED! The brisket is the crack cocaine of Utah County!! I buy it by the pound for lunch once a week (any more often and I would have to find nefarious ways to support the habit) and all we do is talk about how good the brisket tastes. I always ask for the marble cut (fatty and full of melt-in-your-mouth taste) and soak it in the awesome original sauce. And now were back to why it took me two times to get hooked. Because of my original predisposition for how BBQ sauce should be "thick and rich" I originally found fault with Bam Bams recipe which is quite thin. But the flavor combination that is created with this sauce and the amazing rub on the brisket along with the fatty deliciousness if the magical meat changed my mind as I sat down for my second serving. Now I sit down and prepare myself for an experience akin to a 40 minute doping session. I also prefer not to drive if I can help it, just in case I were to get pulled over after lunch; Im pretty sure I would not pass a field sobriety test.

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KR

Krista Parra

My husband and I were excited to try this local bbq place after hearing rave reviews from family and strangers alike. What a let down. We stood in line for 1/2 an hour only to find out the item we each wanted to order was all out. Quickly choosing something else we both tried something different. I got some ribs and my husband got the brisket sandwich. The meat was really tasty, but the server who put my husbands sandwich together mashed up the meat grossly with his hands and then slopped it on the bun. The bun was then so greasy because of the meat he could hardly eat it. My ribs were good, but with the price we were paying I didnt order a side and 4 ribs didnt fill me up at all. They should serve some sort of bread or biscuit with all orders. I know Im not very experienced with bbq places. Die hards might like it. I just thought the service and the quantity of the food did not match the price or our wait time. Really wish they would have made an announcement that the pulled pork sandwiches were out before we waited in line for half an hour...

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TO

Todd Bulloch

The true test of authentic Texas style BBQ is the brisket, and there is no doubt in my mind that Bam Bams brisket is some of the best in the nation. I literally eat myself sick every time we go here because I cant get enough. Pricey? Yes. But it is worth it, trust me. Also, it should be noted that people complaining about the presentation on butcher paper should be ignored. This is traditional style anywhere in Texas and I personally think it is awesome. Another must try is the Turkey sandwich. I never would have thought that sliced smoked turkey breast on a plain delicious roll would rock my taste buds. Sausages are great, the ribs are on point, and the pulled pork is delicious as well. Lets talk sides. I agree they are not the best, but I do not go here for the sides. I go here for the BBQ, and I return more often than I should. If you havent experienced the mouth-watering fatty brisket, quit waiting and GO NOW. I will see you there. I will be the guy being rolled out in a brisket induced coma.

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CA

Carl Lefler

Im writing my review while here. There was a hot chick hitting on me in line so good people do come here but thats besides the point. Lets talk about the food. Their briskit sandwich would be what I requested if I was on death row for my last meal it is that dang good. The ribs are always fall off of the bone never under or over cooked. Then the jalapeño chedder sausage has an awesome flavor profile. Also the potato salad is better than moms but dont tell her that. What I dislike here is it can be kind of pricey. $4 pretty much for a piece of meat shaped like a penis. Then I dislike that the sandwich combo doesnt come with chips either. They have a new employee with a pornstache and he is kind of a prick, I think he should be in the back. Also they need a liquor license so I can drink beer with my BBQ. Other than that this is a great place to go. Just hope all the tourists dont find out about it because it is a local spot for local people only. Not hipster tourists who screw crap up.

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