Billy Smoothboars — Restaurant in Bandon

Upon walking in, the place smelled great - lovely, fragrant BBQ hanging in the air. We were told to sit anywhere; the place was mostly empty and the tables were smallish so my mother-in-law picked a bigger table meant to seat six or more. The server immediately told us not to sit there since it was reserved for bigger parties only. Her tone of voice wasn't friendly but we let it slide because we were definitely hungry.

The menu has a decent array of options that include BBQ, seafood, and more. Prices were a little higher than I'd have expected from what looks like a roadside joint. Despite the lovely BBQ aroma, we ordered the calamari baskets, fried fish basket, and chicken strips basket, soft drinks, and iced tea. All were served in a timely manner.

The food came out fairly quickly and while the calamari and fried fish were good, the chicken strips were very, very dark. Like we overcooked these by five minutes dark. The french fries were awesome, which makes it odder that the chicken was so overdone. The coleslaw didn't have a good flavor, so none of us ended up eating any of it.

My husband doesn't like to make a fuss, so he didn't want to send his chicken strips back. My mother-in-law did ask the server if the chicken strips are always that dark, only to have the server become immediately defensive. The service, already a bit on the less-than-friendly side, went down from there.

My mother-in-law is somewhat older, so when the server asked if she wanted a refill, my mother-in-law asked, "How much are they?", not understanding that refills on soda and iced teas are free. The server then said, "On a tight budget, I see." I was flabbergasted. As the server walked away, my mother-in-law asked, "What did she say?" When I told her what was said, she was offended. When the woman came back with her refill, my mother-in-law said, "I hope you know budget has nothing to do with my question." The server immediately backpedaled but by then, it was too late.

We received and paid our bill, and still left a small tip despite the less-than-stellar experience. The best part of the entire meal were the french fries; the worst was the overcooked chicken and rather unpleasant service. We were visiting family in the area and none of us will likely go back, which is too bad since the BBQ smelled...

12/11/2023 edit:

So, I just encountered what was possibly the best restaurant operation I've ever encountered: Shalom Y'all in SE Portland.

And it reminded me of the most pitiful attempt at running a restaurant from recent memory, which of course is this place.

Here's a tip, you sad, sad owners: take a trip up I-5 and study Shalom Y'all as an example of how exceptional restaurants should be run. As a great counter-example to your place.

Or just continue blaming commenters on Google. Whatever your business acumen tells you is the way to build your business.

Original review:

Y'all remember Amy from Amy's Baking Company on Kitchen Nightmares?

I'm pretty sure Amy goes by Billy now. Have yourself a giggle and read through the comments here and marvel at how outlandishly thin-skinned and defensive the owner of Billy Smoothboars is responding to bad reviews. It's gotta be Amy!

But seriously, if an owner gets comments saying their food and service is bad, maybe the thing to do is, I don't know, listen and try to fix it instead of lashing out like a child. You know. Like a good business owner would do?

As for the restaurant, been there twice. The food was mediocre at best (no, Amy, prime rib is not supposed to be gray...) and the service was spotty. There's a reason it's the worst rated restaurant in Bandon on Google right now (discounting Dairy Queen which has a 0.3 star lower rating than Amy's, err, Billy's, at the moment. Yup. Dairy Queen).

But what clinches the 1-star is the owner. The fish rots from the head.

Edit after Amy's response:

Please note, dear reader, after receiving a critical review, Amy ignores the actual deficiencies in their restaurant and management and instead blames the reviewer -- the "state" of the reviewer because they gasp! are awake at 2am! (ever hear of "night owls", Amy? Or time zones?). Fear not, dear Amy. This edit is happening at 3pm your time so you don't have to worry about anybody's "state".

And Amy also blames Google. Because clearly Google is the problem. Not gray, tasteless "prime rib".

The problem is clear: Amy can't take criticism. And therefore the restaurant can't improve. Just what you'd expect from Amy.

And that's how you get the lowest rated sit-down...

My Husband & I have Gone several times before they made the change of Menu options in 2023 & After the new Menu Came out. I Am not One to Really Enjoy the Video Machines, but my husband Does & on Occasions he has won a Decent Days Worth.. He does get a tad bit Miffed though when They have told him that they have to write him a check.. Mostly due to the fact that he can‘t just get the cash payout as it would be, which he has Always been quite Generous To the Person who cashed out his ticket, the Server for our table( even if It’s the same person.. He will give them 20-40$$ just as a tip from his winnings, so being handed a check, he Always is uncomfortable about 2 reasons that we have Not Made it A regular place to Dine or Take our guests there to dine, is we Have Just Not Ever Had any Sense that Anyone was Glad that we Where Spending At least a Solid $100.00 for the two of us, lunch or dinner, a drink each, plus My Husband has Probably Left Far more In the machines than All of the Jackpots he has Been At that machine at just the right times.:)! I Can‘t really Give any Comments about The Restaurant Part of the Building, we have Always gone into the bar section. There is a Beautiful Huge outdoor covered patio area which many times we have asked on nice days if we could sit outside, always we have been told: “ Sorry we just closed it So the people who you see outside, were there awhile ago, but we closed that now to any new Guests Coming into Bar.” It is a very Nice Restaurant Has a nice Rustic look outside, yet the Bar itself has Very Nicely Hung Jerseys & Many Sports Memorabilia. A nice big big Fireplace also in the Bar for those Rainy Cold season nights! The price range is Pretty Similar to any other BBQ location that I have Been to, so I would say That between $15.00-$25.00 per plate?? I Would Love to Go there more often, as I do like how The Whole Bar is Quite large in sq. Ft. But Even when they have been on busy side, The sound level Never Gets To A level that you find yourself Yelling to your dining partner(s) who are sitting very close to you. ( as some Places are very much Just Way to Noisy that it just totally ruins any bit of Being able to enjoy A Meal away from home a few...