bb.q Chicken Duluth — Restaurant in Duluth

Okay, this is going to be quite a detailed review that highlights the reason why I had a love for this business, why I wouldn't blame you for continuing to eat from them, and why I will not provide them any of my business in the future.

I'll begin with the good, along with a quick backstory.

I first heard about this business through word of mouth from a coworker who typically has a great pallet and chose this spot as their favorite fried chicken spot in Duluth. Taking the time to trust their opinion, I went ahead and ordered the Golden Boneless medium (10 pieces). And honestly? The chicken was absolutely phenomenal. Right away I could tell why this coworker had the opinion they held, and I was an instant fan.

Over the past 3 months I'd ordered on about 18 different occasions. It honestly became a problem. The boneless golden was so beyond flawless to me that it became a lunchtime go-to. So, if that's the case, why is this not a five star review? Simply because of the lack of customer service.

Let me first say that I'm not a 'Karen' (if you don't understand the term, feel free to refer to urban-dictionary). I've worked in 2 separate restaurants prior and I understand how easy it is to misfire an order. On my last occasion order from Olive BBQ, my chicken was overcooked.

Now, there are a few other things that were different about this ordering experience. When I FIRST called in to place my order, they noted to me that they were slammed to the point that they asked me to call back in 5 minutes. I called back 6 minutes later and they took my order, letting me know it would take 40 minutes (usual wait time is 15-20). None of this bothered me because the restaurant was within a 5 minute drive of my location and receiving the food wasn't pertinent.

Okay, so, considering I'd had their chicken on multiple occasions, I knew what it was SUPPOSED to be and what I got that last time was overcooked. And honestly, if it were only slightly over, then I wouldn't have minded. But it wasn't. These boneless cuts are dark meat, and for them to be overcooked, it meant that they'd even dried out in the process and I could only make it through about 5 of the 10 pieces before I tossed the meal. I didn't follow up about the situation right away since I'd had some food at home. I also knew I'd be able to forgive this situation because this was literally the only unsavory meal I'd had with them.

What wasn't forgivable to me was the response to the feedback I provided.

It was maybe 2 or 3 days later and I called in to make another order, but let the person on the phone know that my last order had been overcooked. He took this information, went to speak to someone, came back to the phone and told me that their head chef said I was wrong. In the same breath, the restaurant wanted to give me complimentary coleslaw (something I've literally never ordered from them). You can't tell me that I'm wrong and then try to compensate my feedback in the same breath. I wasn't looking for any compensation, I just wanted them to know what was up with my order.

Whoever it was that thought it was a good idea to tell them that their customer is wrong, really needs to re-evaluate their approach. While I don't mind saying that quality of their fried chicken is five-stars to me, the way I was treated completely degraded my opinions of this business. It won't get my recommendation as a spot to visit, and I'll no longer order from BBQ...

Very disappointed in this place. DO NOT GO- unless you're either Korean or have a Korean friend with you. While there there were only 3 tables- one with two Korean ladies- and they received the expected excellent service while the other two (including our group of 3) who were given the bare minimum service. From the start, as soon as we walked in the door, they had an attitude with the 3 of us. When we had questions while ordering, we gave a description of a dish a friend recommended which we weren't sure the name of it on the menu and the server was very dismissive. I personally ordered the ddukbokki. Having had ddukbokki a million times before, I know how it should taste. This was by far the worst I've had- including the frozen pre-made kind you can get at HMart. The dish didn't taste fresh at all, the fish cake was overly chewy and was clearly frozen. The sauce had a weird aftertaste that no amount of water could get rid of. I ended up unable to eat the dish because it was so inedible but neither of the two servers seemed concerned- only wanting us to pay and get out. The only positive I will give it was that it came out hot. One friend ordered the soy garlic boneless chicken, $13 for a small amount of chicken that tasted like something you could get in the frozen section- no depth but the chicken itself was decently moist. The other friend ordered the cheese chicken- beyond disappointing given it was what the server recommended. To put it simply- it was chicken with the canned parmesan cheese sprinkled over top and nothing like the description which stated multiple types of cheese on chicken. When we asked if we could exchange it for another kind of chicken, the server told us no and left, laughing behind the counter as though it was a rediculious question. We never recieved any additional water or condiments- unlike the other table which was heavily attended and checked on. When we paid, the friend who ordered the cheese chicken had a total of $18.02 (the bill included the cheese chicken and a side order of fries). She gave $20.02 and received $1.96 in change. She was short changed 4 cents, which wouldn't have been a big deal if they weren't trying to get us out as soon as we recieved the bills. If I could give half a star or even zero stars I would but here we are with one. Will never be returning and I suggest...

The taste of fried chicken for all kinds of sauces here are pretty good. My friends recommended me to try here. I ordered Honey Garlic Wings. Due to COVID19, they only accept ordering on phone and pickup outside. I called and told the waiter that I needed to order Honey Garlic Wings, he asked me twice that “there are 2 options: drumstick and wings, which one do I need?!”. I told him more twice time that “Honey Garlic Wings”. I asked “when it is ready, will you call me?” He kept repeating that the order gonna take 25-30’, when I come I need to call him. Then I said: “Okay, fine. Thank you, see you then“, he hang off the phone without saying anything. But who know the order could be ready sooner than 25’. Why didn’t he want to call the customers to inform when the orders are ready????

When I came and picked up, I made the payment by card, after it has done, he even didn’t say “thank you.” Or anything. I think: okay, fine. When I got home and opened the box, like as the picture I attached here, there were only 3 wings, all the remain are drumsticks. What the heck??

I don’t want to spend my time driving to a restaurant and spend my money on something then having a bad experience like this.

I truly impressed that the fried chicken very tasty and crispy even once I got home after 15 minutes from the restaurant, that was why my friends recommended not only me but also many others people to try the chicken here. But honestly, the service here is so bad. While COVID-19 has impacted to all the businesses, I think you guys should do it better to maintain your business till the economy revives, right? With this type of service, I just feel bad for the owner. Yes, there’s still some people supposed to come back, but it will not...