"Upon entering the restaurant, which resembled a salvage yard, I found myself in a small, cluttered dining area, but I was determined to keep my spirits up. Despite my inclination towards cleanliness and organization, I tried to view the disarray as charming. However, the grimy floor and the single employee—likely the owner—who didn’t wash his hands before handling my food after taking my order were harder to overlook. He was friendly, though, so I tried to dismiss my concerns. My inner voice insisted that the messiness might be an omen of delicious smoked meat to come, but that proved to be false.
My enthusiasm was misplaced, as the meal I ordered—a $25 lunch of brisket burnt ends, smashed Yukon potatoes, mac and cheese, and baked beans—was a disappointment. Hot Rods BBQ debunks the idea that where there’s smoke, there’s quality food. Although my Styrofoam container reeked of smoke, the food was far from good. The beef was tough and lacked flavor, the baked beans tasted like an off-brand canned variety, the Yukon potato was completely bland, and the mac and cheese was curdled and unappetizing enough to turn any toddler away. Ultimately, the meal ended up in the trash, where it belonged.
I usually don’t leave harsh reviews, preferring to give restaurants a chance for redemption, especially local spots that work hard. Therefore, when I do write a negative review, it’s to help fellow diners avoid a poor experience. This place might possibly serve the worst BBQ I’ve encountered in my life, and I've eaten at gas stations and in developing countries around the world. Take it for what it’s worth, but honestly, the food was inedible."
