Fat Jacks Barbecue
| Address: | 6207 Monona Dr, Monona, WI 53716, USA |
| Phone: | +1 608-221-4220 |
| Site: | fatjacksbbq.biz |
| Rating: | 3.9 |
| Working: | Closed 11AM–2PM 11AM–2PM 11AM–2PM 11AM–2PM 4–9PM 4–8PM |
Location
Photos 99
Reviews 8
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Kevin Koehler
I stopped by the evening of 2/9/2016 for dinner. This was the 3rd time Ive been there, and definitely wont be the last. First, a little on overall impressions and atmosphere. They have the place decorated with some pretty fun decor. Its nothing like Ellas Deli (which I find to be quite frightening), but they have a soapbox car hung by the door, and other fun and interesting items covering the walls. As another reviewer commented, the age range of the crowd there is typically 35+. The waitress was younger (late teens/early 20s?) but Im not sure why age enters into the equation anyway. Moving on... It was a cold winter night, and I was pleasantly surprised with how warm the restaurant was. There were lots of good menu options. My top picks were the Beef Dinner, Cajun Catfish, or the nightly special, All-You-Can-Eat Ribs & Chicken Combo for $13.95. I ended up going with the special. I was a bit nervous to go with an All-You-Can-Eat special, as sometimes theyre better described as an All-You-*Care*-To-Eat meals, but Im happy to say that isnt the case. The ribs were great, and the chicken was also great. Smoky flavor infused throughout both. Rib meat was tender and fell right off the bone. They had BBQ sauce bottles on the table, but the smoky and slightly sweet flavor of the ribs required no added sauce. Similarly, the chicken was moist and tender. The side items, which included cole slaw, baked beans, garlic bread, and fries (in the shape of potato wedges) were also great. The price is a bit high, but for the quantity of food received, theres no question about it being a good value. Some other reviewers commented on the age range of the attendees, salad bar, or health considerations of dining at Fat Jacks. If these are concerns for you, get yourself to Cosi, Panera, McDonalds, or Starbucks - wherever makes your conscience feel fuzzy. If you want a great meal, get yourself to Fat Jacks.
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A Private User
The service might be good, but since I only ordered takeout I wouldnt really know. I bought the Dine Madison gift certificates for Fat Jacks based upon the reviews on here and was SEVERELY disappointed. The first time I ordered carry out my friend got a pork sandwich and I ordered their spare rib special. Neither of us ate more than two bites because the meat was insanely fatty and their sauce was terrible. (Imagine a chemical induced smoked flavor). Roundys brand BBQ sauce blows their sauce out of the water. We ended up throwing away the food. Even their French Fries were limp and flavorless (yes, the ranch fries). The second time I ordered from there I decided to try something different (since I knew I had to use the gift certificate and didnt want to waste it). I ordered the Baby Back ribs, the fried mushroom appetizer, and a salad bar entre (yet again based upon the raving salad bar reviews on here). As I am sure you have already guessed I was disappointed yet again. A great salad bar? Try bagged iceberg lettuce to start off with. And yes, the dressings did look home made, but the French that I got for my salad was horrible. The toppings were mediocre in variety and could be blown out of the water by almost any salad bar buffet Ive been to. Overall my experience was horrible and Id recommend going to Chilis or something of the sort if you want BBQ, because they are better than Fat Jacks at making things taste decent.
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Dan Sulla
The service food and atmosphere are all excellent. Folks this is honest food served with integrity. What does that mean? They smoke their meats in a pit and serve fresh food made on site. I ordered the pork platter for lunch and added a side of beans. Well arranged and ample pork with a nice smoke ring and good bark. There are two sauces to chose from hot and mild both nice. The cole slaw is homemade on site. The baked beans were awesome.The french fries crispy on the outside and creamy and hot on the inside WOW. My waitress was friendly and fast and the food all arrived hot including the garlic toast. I went back the next day and had the beef sandwich for lunch (I was in Madison for business) the sandwich again outstanding. I see reviews on this and other sites by foodies or so called foodies. They think their job is to show the place off in its worst light. Now I have had bbq in St Louis, Maggie Valley and Memphis and I would say the best was Maggie Valley but Fat Jacks is good BBQ and make no mistake about it these people care about the dinner and the diner. If more places were like this I would be thrilled. I spoke with Sue (an owner) and it is obvious they love what they do. So love it or hate it thats fine but It is a good honest value (lunch for eight bucks) and food that is tasty and well prepared with care. I gave Fat Jacks five stars and they deserve every one of them.
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E VS
Disgusting. The only thing I would feel "safe" ordering is the french fries. Do you know why they offer their meals at such "reasonable rates"? The cost of the meat is typically a third of the price you pay. That being said, you may as well be eating at McDonalds. The customer service is lacking, Ive seen them drop so many large orders of food on the ground. And please DO NOT TOUCH THE SALAD BAR. Anyone that offers ice berg lettuce at a salad bar is a swindler and does not know jack about nutrition. Say no to cheap garbage and support QUALITY businesses that wont nickle and dime you.
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A Private User
Sundays is currently all you can eat chicken bbq, Tues and Thurs all you can eat ribs and chicken, all smoked to delicious perfection on-site. Bbq beans, cole slaw and Texas toast are awesome, too. Im giving four stars instead of five because sometimes their meats seem a little dry if they are not the special of the day. Specials are moist and fall off the bone tender. Just ask. Also Fat Jacks awesome sauces are kind of regional, if you have a strong preference in bbq sauce, take a bottle of your own with you. Im getting hungry just thinking about em!
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A Private User
Been coming here for 22 years. My daughters 1st birthday party was there. Great BBQ. Best onion rings and curds Ive had. I love the chicken and ribs and being a BBQ cook, I know a thing or 2 about them. Great prices. Madison is lucky to have them and Smokey Johns in the same town (not to mention Smokehouse, Famous Daves, and Poppa Bears). You cant go wrong with the buffalo sauce and home made bleu cheese dressing on your BBQ chicken. Quit crying about grease and salt. Its BBQ, not Panera Bread. Bring you buddies and eat like a man
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steve palgreene
Wow not that great of food service was bad 1 waiter for 50 people had all you can eat ribs not that i wanted more but they never ask if we wanted more ribs then when we pay the bill they ask how was everything we told them you guys never even ask if we wanted more all they said was sorry. The ribs sauce was bad to something a kid made very bad . But what got my attention first was how dirty the window was on the front door should of been a omen not to go in .
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Travis Taylor
The staff is friendly, the place is nice with loads of cool decorations, great selection of beer, but the BBQ is TERRIBLE! No flavor, gristle, fat, and very little good meat, the chicken is the same, it came out pink, and flavorless. The BBQ sauce they have on the table for you to apply yourself doesnt even help the flavor. I have to agree with another review I read stating, it was like chewing on a tire. STAY AWAY IF YOU LOVE BBQ.
