Southern Craft BBQ Bristol — Restaurant in Bristol

Came into empty unmanned host podium. Waited 5 minutes and was eventually seated, back corner, smallest table in the place. No welcome, no your server will be with you shortly, no greeting. And a definite feel we were an imposition. And curiously, the place was 1/2 full but with rather large parties. We waited 15 minutes, and nothing. No drinks, water or attention. Tried to be patient, figuring the 4 large parties were consuming the staffs attentions. Finally, back up to the empty host spot and different lady, asked if we could get a server to take our orders as we had plenty of time to read the menu. No problem. 5 minutes later, we get a very harried, obviously distraught server to take our drink order. She was apologetic, had not received notice that we had been sat, and had not noticed us tucked in this rather weird spot. Few minutes later, we have drinks, but by different server. So still ready to give our order, we asked if we could give our order, were told she'd would get the server. We didn't care who, we were just hungry, but ok, fine. Get her! Finally, another 10 minutes we have server to take our orders. I was becoming very unhappy as other patrons came in, were seated, as 2-3 of the large groups were gone and could see others coming in, waiting at empty host station, but being seated in empty 4 tops, and immediately getting their drinks. While we sat in this corner of death. Then, a few more groups of 3-4 people, and dirty tables from the large groups still sitting there. I could see at the front there was an area of servers logging into screens and most likely doing orders, but didn't see where they were actually working. I started counting how many I saw doing this and it was at least 8, but not our server, and only 2-3 that we're working on the floor. My friend was ready to just walk out, I assured him, we've waited this long, let's ride it out. He said he'd never experienced such poor service in his life, and no fish taco was worth this. An hour later, we got our food. Now, I'm not going to say that the food was worth all that wait, but it was good, it was hot. Our drinks, were now empty, pretty much dry for the meal. All in all, a very poor experience. Our server, while sweet, was either completely overwhelmed, or was working in a party room or rooms we didn't see or know about, as well as the rest of the staff. I wouldn't go back. My friend did really like the fish tacos, but said he was pretty sure an old boot would have too because he was so hungry by the time it got to the table. And he questioned the complicated entrance situation and poor parking across the street and risking life, limb and slipping in rain puddles in covered entrance. Said the whole thing was poorly thought out. I explained parking is at a premium downtown and this is probably why. He didn't get the parking on premises being at the back of the building and staff occupying spaces to the sides. I can't answer that. I can tell you, I'm sad. I had heard such nice things about our local eateries stepping up the flavor and dining experience, but this one was not one for the books. I doubt I'll waste my time to come back, and I know I couldn't make my friend repeat it. My only consolation was, I didn't pick it, he did! Still trying to figure where all these people were scurrying from and to, so maybe there was a wedding party consuming them all, and maybe the kitchen as well? Don't know, we weren't given any explanation and by the time we left, we were fed, but neither of us care to go back. Oh, and the other tables that sat after us? Hit and miss with food arriving either before ours or after. But all had gotten their drinks at least, so I know there is potential.... Maybe. If this is a daily thing, I see this business not lasting. There is definitely room for improvement here. And if seating a table, staff should be encouraged to tell the server immediately or take a drink order, refilling beverages, being prompt...

I have a room in this building with the adjacent hotel (the hotel is absolutely fantastic, btw). I walked in to the delicious aroma of bbq. I dropped my stuff in my room and went down to see what they had to offer that’s dairy free (allergy issue). Normally bbq joints are a safe bet with only the desserts and a few odds and ends not being dairy free.

Not here. I couldn’t have one single thing on the menu. Everything they make is either:

A) pre prepped with cheese or other dairy included, this includes the usual items like salads with cheese on top, buttermilk ranch dressing, and desserts. Ok, no problem, totally expected this.

B) goes into their one deep fryer which is contaminated with dairy because they decided to select chicken fingers with a small amount of dairy in the coating. This means no fries or tator tots, things I can normally have.

C) is heated on their big flat top griddle which is also used to heat their buttered Texas toast. This means I couldn’t even have plain meat of any sort. The meat rub and sauce doesn’t contain dairy but they have no other way of heating it up. This one really bothers me. Would it be that difficult to grab a clean pan, place it on the buttery cooktop, and heat the meat in there?

Now I’m sitting in my room, three floors above the restaurant, and can smell what I’m pretty sure is really tasty bbq. I’m so hungry. I picked this hotel because it had a safe bet bbq restaurant so I wouldn’t have to go out to get food. It’s after 8pm and I’m too tired to go roaming the town for dairy free food (the staff recommended I drive to a steakhouse). Super disappointing since it’s not like this is a fondue place or mac and cheese specialty joint and with just a few tweaks, different chicken fingers and a few pans on hand, they could be more welcoming and inclusive.

I’m giving them two stars rather than one because although I couldn’t get any food they were nice about it and took the time to check with the kitchen. I’d rather be told no, there’s cross contamination than get sick and they did the right thing.

Edit: I found this restaurant pop up as a good spot for people need a gluten free meal. They even have a gluten free menu. This doesn’t make sense. All their food either comes from a fryer that breading goes in or comes off a griddle that texas toast is prepared on. Nothing but the salads should be labeled as...

This was my second visit to this location & although the pork belly is spectacular, everything else falls short. I was seated in the same table with a view of the exterior door & the kitchen entrance. Apparently the kitchen has a corner just out of view because aside from the noise of the door, I repeatedly heard someone shout "corner". The service was worse on this recent visit - at one point I thought my server had gone on break. When I finally did see him, he had a tray of cocktails so I can only assume he had an issue at the bar. From the time I requested to-go boxes until my actual departure, my server disappeared for extended periods 3 times. I spent nearly 25 minutes waiting on my server AFTER I had finished eating. As for the food, I started with deviled eggs. They looked amazing, but the amount of black pepper in the yolk mix was borderline ridiculous. I was picking large chunks of peppercorn out of my mouth after a single bite!! I decided to just take them to my neighbor when I arrived home rather than send them back to the kitchen...MISTAKE! Even my neighbor who loves black pepper was taken aback by the amount of it in the deviled eggs. When my server returned to take my entree order, I inquired about the black pepper on the fried green tomatoes. He stated he did not believe there was a bunch but he would check & let me know if he thought it would be a problem. I didn't see him again until after my plate was delivered. The fried green tomatoes however were covered in large chunks again of black pepper. I put those in the to-go container as well. As anticipated, the pork belly was phenomenal: so full of flavor & melt-in-your-mouth tender. The half chicken (for which there is an upcharge) seemed overcooked because the meat was quite dry & rather lacking in flavor. The perfect ending to this mediocre meal was the server returning to the table with my bill & the gift card my parents had given me (as well as my 4 siblings) at Christmas to say there was a zero balance on the card. I called Mom to confirm no one else had a problem with their gift card so I'm wondering if he even knew how to run it. The only interest I have remaining in this restaurant is their pork belly. I would order the pork belly as bulk meat if I ever had occasion to return. Otherwise, this restaurant...