When I first visited several years ago, I remember being very impressed with the food. When we visited again a few months ago with some friends from out of town, everything has lost its splendor. ... More

When I first visited several years ago, I remember being very impressed with the food. When we visited again a few months ago with some friends from out of town, everything has lost its splendor. The place is always crowded, and the service seems spotty, but what brought us here was the BBQ. I can't say that it's really worth it any longer. The sauces were decent, but the meat and options were lacking. Like another reviewer says, "what choice do you have"? Not many good options that I've found. My suggestion is buy a jar or two and take it home to make your own.
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My friend and I went to Jack London Square for kayaking and then BBQ at the well known E&J BBQ. We were really looking forward to having dinner there as I work on a TV show where we featured them... More

My friend and I went to Jack London Square for kayaking and then BBQ at the well known E&J BBQ. We were really looking forward to having dinner there as I work on a TV show where we featured them as a favorite place to eat ribs. When we arrived, we were made to wait for a table though there were many open tables available. When we were finally seated, those who came after us (who were black) were already eating what they ordered. Not only that, they didn't come for our drink order till we were sitting about half an hour. When the young waitress took our drink orders, she rolled her eyes and left the table before we finished talking and still didn't deliver our drinks after 15 minutes. The restaurant wasn't that busy...many empty tables...So we walked out. My friend and I are White and Latin. I couldn't think of any reason why others were treated ok, while we were not. Only one explanation: racism. We were finely dressed, we were hungry, we have money, we weren't rude. They obviously have problems. I am ashamed for them and sorry I helped promote them on our food show.
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As transplanted Memphian (as in Memphis, TN, the capital of BBQ) I'm ever on the lookout for good barbecue. I have yet to find anything better than passable. That includes the popular Everett &... More

As transplanted Memphian (as in Memphis, TN, the capital of BBQ) I'm ever on the lookout for good barbecue. I have yet to find anything better than passable. That includes the popular Everett & Jones. The food tends to be greasy and inconsistent. More than once i've ended up with a plate of fat and gristle that should have been sifted out. The beans are mostly tasteless. The cornbread forgetable. I had reasonably good chicken once at the berkeley location but nothing to write home about. And the service at any location is ALWAYS terrible. The food is even worse than what you find at this Armadillo Willie's ridiculousness in the South Bay. I've tried most of the recommended "secret" and hidden bbq spots in the bay area and the quality is not great at any of them. I found excellent hot links at Chef Edwards in downtown Oakland. If you want good pit roasted meat, go the the Hick'ry Pit in Walnut Creek. If you want actual, acceptable, good bbq, drive to Salinas and go to Smalley's.
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