Fikscue Craft BBQ — Restaurant in Alameda

Tl;dr the wait is worth it, but you need to plan accordingly.

Nothing feels worse than watching the helpful checkout employee reach over the register, grab the handwritten cardboard “out of” sign, and write “Dino ribs” after serving the customer right in front of you. It’s demoralizing after waiting 2+ hours in line for that one thing. To be so close.

But that’s on me right? The hours say 12 to 4 (or sold out). Get there earlier. And that’s the real quandary. How early do you need to get to Fikscue to make sure you get what you’re looking for? I was in line at 12:06 PM, so on Saturday 8/24 the answer was … probably before noon.

Let’s talk about the line. A line is a line and sometimes you gotta wait in them, especially when there’s something reaaaally good at the other end. It moves at a crawl, but that’s not for any lack of hustle of the part of the amazing staff prepping the orders, who have a solid packing line going on behind the counter. It’s actually really incredible to watch once you’re close enough to see inside. From time to time someone even comes around with small brisket samples to sate the hangry queue (thank you, you’re a lifesaver).

The crux of the dilemma with the inventory is that the smokers at Fiks’ just aren’t big enough to make more BBQ. If they were, they would. Unlike what some people in line were bemoaning, there’s no meanspiritedness or maliciousness or bad intent to create limited inventory. This place sells a lot of BBQ and operates out of a kitchen the size of a two car garage. That they turn out as much as they do is actually impressive.

Could they accommodate more folks in line? Probably, and that’s the one sticking point I walked away with a somewhat bad taste in my mouth from (not from the food, mind you). What irked me some wasn’t that the person in front of me got the last Dino rib, but he got the last two and a third racks of Dino ribs. Before him, another person walked out with 5 lbs of brisket in catering trays to go, and so on. And when there’s another 100 people in line all hoping for something I wish there was a way to limit what a customer can buy to make the very limited stock last a little longer for more people.

On the day I visited, meat was gone by 2:30 PM and the line was still around the corner. If that’s the case every week, to me that’s not “open 12-4 (or sold out)” that’s “if you weren’t in line by shortly after we open, you’re SoL.” I can’t blame the PO’ed folks who arrived at 12:30 (again, open 12-4) and left empty handed.

It warrants more upfrontness from Fiks for new customers than is currently offered. A note on the website that says “Line up early, service begins at Noon” would be more helpful than the arbitrary closing hour (or sold out). Currently, the posted hours do not do enough to convey the sense of urgency that must be had when visiting Fiks and I can sympathize with the frustration folks who left empty-handed after waiting for 2 hours feel.

On the actual food. In lieu of a rib, I opted for some of the remaining inventory of brisket (I was lucky for that, by the time I sat down, they were down to 5 lbs left) and the Rujak Slaw. The bark was a perfect black and was seeping moisture out of the gorgeous marbling. Every bite melted in the mouth. Even the thin ends were still juicy and a beautiful red color. It wasn’t too hot with spice, and that lets the customer be picky and choosey about how much of the thick texas sauce to slather atop.

I also can’t say enough about the Rujak slaw because for me that was the winner. It’s a bold transfiguration of a classic coleslaw. The sweet and hot peanut sauce on the thick cut slaw mix was countered perfectly with just enough cucumber and pineapple to cool it down. Definitely a must have side with whatever you get, or not a half bad consolation if there’s no meat left by the time you make it to the front.

Patience is a virtue. Stock levels notwithstanding, was the 2 hour wait worth it? Absolutely. Next time I’ll be there at 11 to get...

Holy crackadoo! I don't have to go to Texas for my BBQ grub fix! This meat is good and it's in Alameda!! I wish it was closer to where I live or open a store near us in the future but still, this is close enough! I have to say it's like Black's in Texas!! I had this place on my radar since it opened about 6 months ago as I have been trying to find a good BBQ place in the Bay Area. Didn't expect the line to still be long even we came late @2p but now I understand why people wait. We waited about an hour still. The line goes out the metal gate. There is maybe bar seat for four inside but mostly all outdoor tables to eat after ordering. No private parking. All street parking.

By the time we ordered, they only had brisket and sausage left. They were out of Dino rib and chicken since early morning they said. No matter, we ordered a pound and a half of brisket and two jalapenos cheddar sausage. I was actually perfect for us. The sausage and brisket were moist and juicy, and very flavorful. No sauces needed and that's...how you know it's good!! They come with pickled onions, spicy bbq sauce and the other sauce is like a sweet honey sauce. We ordered their Rujak slaw and that was so good and refreshing! My favorite and a must try. I want to learn to make that!! We didn't get to finish the brisket and took it home.

They must work with the two stores in between each other as we got to sit and eat our food at the Alameda Brewery as long as we ordered their drinks. Not a bad set up. We will definitely come back here but early to try their Dino ribs, beef ribs, chicken and Nasi Goreng. I am sure it's good if they were of it so early.

It's a little pricier but than this is the Bay Area. What do you expect! They actually closed one hour earlier after we ordered as they ran out of food already! I understand why the line is slow. They need more staff. They only really had one cashier, one who slices up the meats, one who serves it and one in the back that makes drinks, etc. They need help! So Expect that line coming here! BUT I do recommend this place for good BBQ with some Indonesian sides that mix...

Fikscue is in Alameda on Park Street (I've never called it that before, but I guess that would make it Downtown Alameda?) it's in the same building in between Monkey Alameda, Scoop Up and the Alameda Brewery. Since it has been open they get long lines when they open at Noon, they're only also only open 3 days a week, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

This BBQ is really good, but it's long wait and also not cheap. There are prices per pound, but ribs you can only order per bone. The person at the counter estimated each dino bone (beef) is a little over 1lb each and their beef back ribs are about 0.5 lbs each, you have to order a minimum of one bone and can't order 1.5 bones.

I went with my wife's cousin and we got there around 11:45am where there was already a line partially down the block, including time and line and ordering and trying our order it took about 90 minutes. I'm not sure if I would wait many places but this place seemed worth the wait.

When you're in line, if someone is with you you could get a beer from the brewery or ice cream or something from Scoop Up, we could've but decided not to.

I'll admit, being a little excited I probably way over ordered. The quality was really good.

I ordered 2 dino bones -2 beef back bones 1lb brisket 1 cheddar jalapeno sausage 1/2 lb beef cheek (their weekend special) 1 rendang plate 2 cendols (dessert drink) And a banana pudding (That was about $200 pre-tip)

Everything was good (the meat was tender), plus the sauces they provided were good.

That was WAY TOO MUCH food for 3 people, we had a lot of leftovers, and I used the beef bones to make a soup in our Instant Pot. I would probably order differently now that I know.

They have some seating, and a good number of people working, however we noticed there seemed to be only one person cutting meat, that also probably contributes to the wait time.

Still overall a good experience, I'd go again but would really try to avoid...