Johnny Rebs' Restaurant is getting a bad reputation with me and my friends. One of my friends has actually given it three tries and not once has she and her husband been satisfied with their meals. One of their visits included some Barbecued Chicken which had to be sent back to the kitchen two times to be cooked till it was done. In other words, it was rather uncooked when it first arrived to their table.
My husband and I have given it two tries. Both times has been in the "ok" category, but it is not that kind of restaurant that you can't wait to go back to again.
I've been thinking about it, and I have decided that for their prices - $12.95 to $20.95 for their main courses of barbecued catfish, chicken, baby back ribs, pork butt, sides of beef ribs, etc., they don't give you the full dining experience you would like for a sit-down and dine-as-a couple dinner. To make the experience longer and more enjoyable, I feel they should include a basket of breads, which they keep filled throughout your meal. Since they offer such breads as biscuits, hush puppies, etc., they could ask you which you prefer. Then they could include a small dinner salad before the meal arrives with your choice of dressing. Then bring the entrée' with your two choices of side dishes. They do offer dessert at the end of the meal.
It is a Roadhouse Barbecue Restaurant so they do offer free peanuts, and the shells can be tossed on to the floor. I don't see the thrill in that. It makes the restaurant look messy, and I don't have the heart to throw food on the floor. I am like a Boy Scout - pick up after yourselves and keep nature clean of people's junk!
I have had the Blackened Catfish both times I have eaten there. It was just "okay". My husband said his rack of beef ribs was smothered in too much barbecue sauce. He did not like the taste of the beans or the biscuit, and only ate a few bites of each. I tried his biscuit and found it was very dry and made with too much flour. The hush puppies are okay. I would recommend them over the biscuits. The cole slaw was okay also, It wasn't sweet or sour which made it good enough to eat.
Now, as far as the service goes, it is not very good. You do get seated immediately and greeted with a hello and smile. The bus boy doesn't seem to be in the mood to work and is rather abrupt with his questions and not too interested in your responses. We ordered water with a lemon, and he seemed offended by our request. When he brought the glasses of water to us, he "tossed" the straws on to the table without a word or a smile. The waitress was always hard to find. I had to ask for ice two times. The second time, she didn't even say I'm sorry. Then I had to go find her to get some more water for my water glass. At that point I was wishing I could serve myself. When she did come by on occasion she would ask us if everything was okay and did we need anything. She never came by with a pitcher of water or a pitcher of tea for the other tables. She seemed to have more important things to do then wait on her customers. To tell you the truth nobody seemed happy to be working there. I wonder what that says about the management? The one employee that helped us with a smile and quick service was a young clean-up guy that happened to be walking by our table. I'm sure that wasn't his job, but he helped us anyway.
The only reason we went back a second time to give it one more chance was because of the $13.00 coupon I had received. The coupon definitely helped us keep the price of our dinner-for-two down to a reasonable amount. But, I am wondering why my digestive system is gurgling and upset today!? The restaurant does have an "A" rating, which means it passed on the inspection requirements.
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