J and L BBQ

Reviews 4

A

A Private User

I grew up in Texas close to some of the best BBQ joints in the world and I’ve travelled to North Carolina and tasted some of their best BBQ pork, yet given all of this I am an easy to please customer; however, I will never, ever, ever think of even stepping foot into the BBQ Shack, Home of the Naked Pigs again. The BBQ they serve there should be criminal. I should have known as soon as I stepped into the place and the young server gave me the deer in headlights look. I waited patiently as she cleaned every table in the place and then finally took my order. When she finally did take my order she did not take care to repeat everything back to me or even seem interested in that I was there at all. The iced tea she served me was so old it actually tasted fermented, when I asked for another she gave me the deer in headlights look again and went into the back. While she was back there the people in the table across from me thanked me for saying something because they thought it was just them, their tea tasted bad too. While waiting for my ribs a portly man came out with no apron on covered in sauce and BBQ smoke. He went back into the back and then came the ribs… It only took me a few bites to figure out that these were actually the absolute worst ribs I have ever had. I did not think it was possible to ruin pork ribs, but they did here. I actually had a stomach ache the entire afternoon after eating their ribs. They were so bad that I fed the other half to my dog rather than eat them and then as I sat there on the couch in pain, I worried that the dog might get sick too. For a Texan to feed half a rack of pork ribs to a dog, well that ought to tell you something. The meat had a texture that told me it had been warmed up but not quite completely and they felt as if laden with congealed fat. This made it actually taste of rubber or plastic. The sauce was uninspiring with a store bought feel. My cornbread muffin was far too small and the baked beans definitely seemed like they were poured out of a can. I don’t normally write reviews unless a place is really good and I’ve never written a bad one but I could not let this one slide. Like I said, the Naked Pigs should be criminal. If I can just save one person from experiencing the same discomfort and heartbreak I felt, then I feel it was worth it. The place is not cheap! If this review makes the Naked Pigs wake up and focus on the quality of their food and service, then I am happy. The restaurant has received several good reviews online so they must have done something right at some point. Let’s hope they get back to that point. Until then, steer clear of this horrible BBQ. -Side note- Just so ya’ll don’t think I am a biased Texan, there is a place to get amazing pulled pork sandwiches (maybe even better than North Carolina pulled pork) in Western Washington. It’s called the Sultan Bakery and just about everything there is great. It’s a little far from Snohomish, but if you have a hankering for really good pulled pork made by people who know what they are doing, check them out. All of their sandwiches are on fresh baked bread and their desserts are to die for.

LU

Lucas Evans

The BBQ Shack was well below my expectations. I have grown to really love Carolina Smoke in Bothell. BBQ Shack was recommended to me by a co-worker. So lets start with the most important part -- The Food. I ordered a pulled pork sandwich. The pork was good...but the sauce was scarce which left a very dry sandwich. I also ordered a couple of sides. The potato salad was a huge disappointment...not because it was bad...but because it was Resers store bought potato salad. The corn bread actually had a fantastic flavor...but my god was it dry! Even with putting honey on it it was difficult to choke down. Last...and maybe least...the brownie cup. Youll see these in the case at the counter. They look delicious. Im sure they are...when they arent old as dirt. Our brownie was practically a hockey puck. I couldnt even peel the paper wrapper off in 1 piece. Next up...Decor. Its ratty...it looks like crap. And in some ways it should...its a bbq joint. But its dirty, old, and cluttered. Not really enjoyable. I did notice one thing...on a shelf near one of the tables is a small framed sheet of paper talking about how they got started. In there they explain that many years ago they were delayed from opening their current location due to some "controversy with their pigs". It doesnt explain anymore than this...but sitting there reading that while waiting for your food kind of makes you wonder. Finally...The Service. When I got there I walked up to the counter and there was no employee in sight. I stood there for around 2 minutes until the lady finally came up. Not a long time by any means...but youd think she could at least start off with "Hi". Instead she just seemed annoyed and gave me the standard "what can I get for you?"....In fact I think the only words she said to me were those...and the total. I never got a hello, I never got a thank you. Heck she never even said "here ya go" when she gave me my food. Just handed it to me and went about her business. She seemed like she absolutely did not want to be there. Overall...if youre in a hurry...it might be worth stopping in and grabbing some food (make sure to get extra sauce). I mean...store bought and old items are really no different than your average fast food place. But if you want BBQ...real BBQ...drive another 20 minutes to Bothell and have one of the most amazing meals in your life.

RA

Rachel Ward

I highly highly recommend it! We went there last night after the Kla Ha Ya Festivals 5K. So we were hungry and they did not disappoint! The weird thing about me is that I dont really like bbq sauce, although I will try it on occasion. So my meats have to have good flavor! This was my second time there and it was just as good as the first time three weeks ago! This time I brought a friend. We both ordered the beef brisket from the young man at the register. It was 15 minutes to closing time. After we sat down, about 8 more people came in. The owner then came out to our table and said they only had enough brisket left for one sandwich! I let my friend have it because she hadnt been there before. He was so nice and apologetic about it! Then because I had to change my order, he refunded my money. I told him no but he insisted. Thats customer service! The beef brisket is amazing! The ribs fall of the bone and are moist with no hint of dryness! The pulled pork is so amazing. All three are so flavorful with just the right amount of seasonings and smokiness! My three favorites there are, in order, #1- beef brisket, #2-ribs, and then #3- pulled pork. Depending on my mood though, I could see that order changing! Cant wait to try the rest of the meats he serves there!

MA

Margo Hoppis

I was desperate to find good food for our hungry robotics team that was competing at a local high school last weekend. These kids and mentors have worked so hard and are exhausted. They are also pretty tired of the same old, same old pizza routine. I was driving by and saw the sign in the window that they do catering. I was concerned that it would be out of reach financially but I figured I owed it to our team to try and get them something yummy and different. I called and Carol was so super helpful and sounded as excited to feed these hungry people as I was! The food was unbelievably delicious!!! Feeding 45 people that much food cant be easy but it was moist, tender and so full of that great smokey, melt in your mouth flavor that we all crave when we think of great barbecue! The price was very reasonable for the quality and amount of food we were able to feed those hungry people. Not only that, but now Im a rock star in these kids eyes! I cant say enough great things about J&L Barbecue in Snohomish. We will definitely be back!!! Thanks for such great customer service and delicious food Carol! See you next time were in town!