Backyard BBQ Pit — Restaurant in Durham

Not what it used to be - First time back since they re-opened and it is not the same restaurant anymore. I've been avoiding this place for a long time because I feared the worse and now I feel compelled to write this review to let other veteran Backyard BBQ Pit fans considering a visit to know what it is like now.

I got a Brisket Plate, Collard Greens, and Mac and Cheese for $20.

The brisket I got was more of salty mostly broken bits of hard meat (see the picture). I don’t know how they made it, but it felt so odd texture-wise that it really reminded me of those pre-made brisket packs you get in the refrigerator aisle of the grocery store. I’m not saying that’s where they got it from, I’m just saying what they made feels/tastes similar to that.

As far as the collard greens go, they used to be my absolute favorite. I would always get them before they closed and I know them like the back of my hand, but what I was served was not it. Mushy and soaked in grease for some reason? Not stew, but literal grease and no meat in sight to indicate where the grease came from. It was also simultaneously too sweet and too salty.

… and the store bought dinner roll to replace hush puppies? I get it, making hush puppies can be tough and you’ve got to switch it up, but the hush puppies here were so good! And now they are gone.

The $20 price and smaller portions on top of all of this just felt insulting. You could probably get a better BBQ meal at your kids school lunch. I didn’t finish my meal. Threw it out and had to mouthwash to get the taste out.

All of this said, the mac and cheese is good (different, but good) and the new staff is nice, but no amount of elbow noodles and friendly service could make me enjoy this place as it is now. I do hope they make some improvements to the food to get this place...

I heard about this place from an influencer on IG and thought we’d give it a try. Very disappointing. I’m giving 2 stars cause the Mac n cheese was pretty good. My son ordered a catfish sandwich. It was a piece of fried catfish on 2 pieces of white bread. That’s it. My daughter-in-law order the white chicken sandwich. It’s a piece of BONE IN fried chicken on two pieces of white bread. It came out about 10 minutes after the catfish sandwich (which took about 20 minutes). I ordered a pulled pork sandwich which I never even got. The chicken sandwich was not done. When I took it up and pointed out the pink juices coming out of it and the red bones the lady said “it is done but you wanted it well done?” I said “I don’t want to get salmonella. This is not done” she took it and disappeared in the back and when she came back I just told her to throw it out and refund my sandwich since I never received it. She said, “I did”. There was no apology nor did she try to make either situation right. She did take my sandwich off but not the fried chicken. So yeah, $50 for A piece of fried catfish, 2 slices of bread, 3 sides of Mac n cheese, and 2 drinks. I love supporting small businesses and hate leaving a bad review. But this was really bad. We were only the 3rd people in the restaurant after opening at 11:30. I hope you take this as an opportunity to improve your service and...

I am completely disappointed with my experience today. I hadn’t been here in about 12 years (moved away), was in town today and decided to stop in. Was happy to see the renovations and I was excited to experience the food again but the service was horrible. I stood in line for about 20-25 minutes, there was a group of 3 ladies and a couple ahead of me. The employees seemed as if they were trying to get it together but no one was moving with any sense of urgency. When I got to the counter I ordered a fish plate which she called back, then I asked for the hot dog lunch special for my kids but was informed there were no hotdogs. Ok cool, I ordered 2 dark meat plates but before I could complete my side orders she began talking to a customer she was familiar with that was 4 customers behind me and then proceeded to tell her to come to the front and she would go ahead and cash her out. As if I was not standing there in the middle of my order (check the cameras around 12:15 pm or a little after). She cashed her out while she and one of the gentleman from the back chatted with the customer before she left. At that point I was done. I wasn’t in a hurry which is why I waited for as long as I did but her actions were completely disrespectful of my time and patience. I am sorely...