Soulman's Bar-B-Que — Restaurant in Allen

I don’t have the best food palate. Like I can’t pick out individual ingredients in a dish you cooked, but that aside I’d like to think of myself as a foodie. Was my first time visiting here on recommendation from a coworker and I can say I’ll definitely be adding this place to my rotation of restaurants. I tried a little bit of everything, sides and meats. Best meat from menu were for sure the ribs. I had a bad experience at another restaurant (not Soulman’s) where I had a full rack of ribs and I think about twenty minutes into my meal they were impossible to chew. In comparison I ate here for well over an hour and the meat was still coming cleanly of the bone. Didn’t need barbecue sauce, I actually kept forgetting to put it on. Best sides were the mac and cheese and the creamed corn. The mac was creamy but not runny noodles cooked just right and had a crust for a nice change in texture as well. The creamed corn was amazing… not runny at all, totally emulsified. Whatever sweetener was added developed this subtle caramel-y flavor. I would’ve ordered 16oz for myself if I didn’t get so much food already. What BLEW ME AWAY: was the staff particularly a gentleman by the name of Yanzey. I’ve worked in restaurants/customer service for a little over ten years now and I’d like to think I’ve got little to learn from someone else. I’m excellent at making connections with customers and it’s something I take an appropriate amount of pride in. If you would describe yourself similar to me then come to Soulman’s when Yanzey’s here! You’ll find what you have left to learn when it comes to taking care of and recognizing your patrons! Yanzey gave me the names of the other two staff, but unfortunately I can’t recall their names… they however were exactly the same as Yanzey—attentive to everyone that walked in the door. In particular I heard “it’s good to see you again” quite a few times in just the ninety minutes I was there. Then I overheard a conversation Yanzey was having with another patron who I gathered spoke Swahili. My jaw hit the floor at the connection he was making with her: this guy was SPEAKING IN SWAHILI to her and sharing the conversational phrases he had been learning!! The delight in this lady’s voice I heard was so special. Somebody for a moment recognized her individually in a way that I’m sure doesn’t happen often. That’s when I threw my hands up and was like “alright who is this guy?!” Unreal. If you come here with a complaint about the staff you would’ve complained no matter who it was and you’re just having a bad day, because these guys are perfect! Thanks everyone! I’ll be back for more ribs and...

As someone who loves supporting melanated businesses, it’s a disappointment that my very first time going into this establishment I didn’t have a pleasant experience. I had a door dash here & planned on getting myself a meal because I’ve been out all day. However the manager &/or owner changed my mind immediately due to her unnecessary attitude. I thought I was being polite by not approaching the busy counter as the workers were working to get all (about 5+) orders packed & ready to go. I didn’t want to walk up blurting out my pick up so I waited until they were ready. A customer behind me asked if I order, I replied not yet & the customer waited for about a min then proceeded to cut in front of me just to wait at the counter. One of the workers became available & asked me if I had an order I told her the name on the order. As the customer is still mouthing off under his breath, I ignore him then the manager/owner takes it upon herself to step in & aggressively ask me the name on the order after I told the young lady. I repeated the name & said that I already told the young lady that first helped me. The manager got upset & said we don’t have that order with that name as she’s talking under her breath about me. As I’m waiting on the order I’m listening to how she’s speaking to her employees, sad! & not very manager professional. The young lady then bags the order the manger claimed they didn’t have & hands it to me lol. What a pathetic way to handle a situation that could have completely been avoided & was completely unacceptable/unnecessary. I was already being helped & the manger wanted to control something that was already...

I don't like to criticize, put I must comment on mine and my sister's recent visit on Sunday, June 1st to the Allen Soulmans restaurant. The staffing it seems has completely changed, and it is not good. First, the floor was sticky, my sister used the restroom and stated it was quite filthy, and we arrived when they opened the doors at 11 am, thus it's a carry over from being dirty on Saturday. My food was ok, the sweet tea was watery, thus not very sweet. Her food, she said wasn't very good, and she didn't eat it. We had plans to get our main dish from this restaurant for we have been coming here religiously for over a year. But as I mentioned, the new staffing is not on par with the previous one. We may see if we can find where the previous staffing went(if they are still with Soulmans), but we will not be using Soulmans in Allen for our reunion later this month.I am only writing this because I am extremely disappointed that the standards and quality has gone. Expousing our extended family to the fine quality you previous rendered was something we had counted on, and looked forward to. Change is constant in our society, but it would behove those in charge of the change to make sure the sercice and quality does not disappear with the...