I am from the southeast United States, the cradle of barbeque civilization. It's the Mesopotamia of barbeque. It varies by region, from Texas, to Kansas City, St. Louis, Memphis, N. and S. Carolina, even Alabama and Kentucky. Yes, similar preparations are found in other cultures, but BBQ Steakhouse is clearly attempting to emulate the American style.
In that respect, it may be my fault for choosing the place, but figured to give it a try. I had the mixed grill (meat). It included chicken, lamb, beef, pork ribs, and half a lobster. Sides included gratin potatoes, a couple of sauces, and coleslaw. First, this is not bbq. By its definition, bbq is cooked in a pit or grill over wood or coals. There was no smoke flavor, the meat was cooked on a stovetop and in the oven. The ribs were sad. They weren't cooked long enough or on low enough heat to pull from the bone; tough and with bbq sauce (will get to that later) thrown on as an after thought. The lamb was a leg sirloin steak, and a wee bit tough. Similarly, the beef was not tender, a little sad and bland. I didn't even touch the chicken. The lobster was overdone.
The BBQ sauce was odd. It was tomato based and sweet, but overly so. The flavor was kind of flat, lacking in the tang and smoke that a tomato based sauce should have. The coleslaw was thick and gummy, more mayo than anything. The highlight, such as it is, were the gratin potatoes. Texture wasn't there, but they tasted ok.
Service was decent to begin, but it took forever to get my check once the meal was over. Maybe there are other decent offerings on the menu, but if you're looking for a semi-authentic bbq experience, this is NOT the place. The sins committed were so egregious, I feel compelled to cook a few slabs of ribs upon my return home, to atone for the wrongs done to that meat. read more