The Smokin' Pug — Restaurant in Lumphini Subdistrict

I am writing to provide some feedback on my group's dining experience at your establishment yesterday.

First, I would like to say that we were thoroughly impressed with the quality of the food and drinks. Everything was delicious, and the culinary standard was excellent. We were also very grateful and pleasantly surprised to be seated in a private room, even though we had not requested one. It was a wonderful gesture that we initially appreciated very much.

However, the end of our evening was unfortunately impacted by an uncomfortable situation. After we had finished our meal, we remained in the seating area of the room to continue our conversation. A while after, a member of your staff came to our room and stood watching us for several minutes without saying anything. This action made my friends and I feel very pressured and unwelcome, as if we were being silently urged to either order more or leave the premises.

This was disappointing because it overshadowed an otherwise fantastic meal. We completely understand that private rooms are a significant asset to the restaurant. If there is a policy regarding a minimum spend or a time limit for these rooms, we would have greatly preferred to be informed of this upfront. We would have been more than happy to respect such a policy. Clear and direct communication is always better than actions that make your guests feel uncomfortable.

We hope you will consider this feedback constructively. We truly enjoyed the food and ambiance and would love to return, but the overall guest experience is just as important.

Sincerely,

A...

I went here because of a review I watched on YouTube. I think it was done when the Pug first owned because this restaurant is not up to the standards of American bbq. I have traveled all over the USA eating bbq and I really don't know what this was. We sat down at our yankee and were served some very oily left over taro and yam chips. I could literally see trapped oil in a fry bubble on the chips themselve. I had ordered the brisket and baby back ribs, what I got was brisket and beef ribs. The brisket was left over from the previous night and I think also the beef ribs because the bark in both were very dry. The brisket was really dry and hard to cut with the knife and there was no smoke flavoring like in a typical American smoke brisket another sign this was left over from last night. The bark was very peppery and really hard also. Properly smoked brisket should allow you to pull it apart or cut it with a fork. I had a hard time cutting through it with a knife. Both the brisket and ribs were bland tasting. The corn bread that came with it was okay. It tasted like it came from a premixed packet. It beans were cooked in a very runny watered down tomato sauce with onions. The fried onions straws or whatever on top of the brisket were also left over from last night because those were hard and chewy. It may have started or great but his restaurant was a big disappointment and I am ashamed I even took my Thai wife here bragging about it. She even said that this was worst than Lucille's, there she at least like...

I finally tried this place after reading about it and never really making it a priority over the last several trips. I travel for work in the US and consider myself a bit of a bbq snob.

It’s a nice place and they’ve done a good job creating a bbq-like, upscale, Western vibe. The service was also excellent, and even better than most restaurants you would find in this price range.

Unfortunately, I found the food to be lacking. I didn’t really get a sense of any smoke flavor from the ribs or brisket. If it was there at all, it was very subtle. It would appear that the brisket was reheated - at least it wasn’t dry. There was really no bark at all.

Brisket 3/5

Ribs 3.5/5

The onion rings were a nice surprise.

I liked the KC sauce. I grew up 3 hours away from KC so this was relatable. The Carolina sauce was definitely “Carolina” inspired, but a little “off”. It might go better with some pulled pork.

The slaw, beans, and cornbread leave a LOT to be desired… I just took a bite or 2 of each and didn’t feel compelled to eat any more. The sides all just seem like an afterthought.

The meals in the 1000 baht range are likely all appropriate for 2 people. I struggled to finish all of my ribs and brisket, not wanting to waste the meat.

I appreciate the effort, but wouldn’t feel compelled to return.

Maybe the wood that is available here for smoking just doesn’t penetrate the meat enough? Seems like there is room for improvement. Seeing the nearly full dining room though, it might not...