Scratch BBQ and Catering — Restaurant in Flint Charter Township

Stopped by for our first time yesterday for Mother's day and enjoyed our meal and visit.  Food was tasty,  staff was very friendly (the ones serving food were nice but you could tell they were in a hurry and one seemed a bit annoyed when I asked if they had lettuce and tomatoes for the nachos- toppings were in front and I couldn't see. They weren't rude, just short and not ad friendly as the other staff.) LOVED the different flavors or soda and food was yummy. We got there around 2pm and they were already sold out of cornbread and potatoe salad so I was a little sad lol. I would for sure go back for the food and friendly staff. The music was great and seating was nice and spaced apart so you could have privacy while you ate. Staff checked on us and I believe her name was Mikayla but she was very kind, helpful and quick to serve our needs.

Suggestions: Have a sign that shows which items are sold out so guest can prepare to select another option prior to ordering.  Have a sign when you come in "Order and seat yourself ". It being our first time, we were confused where to order, do we seat ourselves, etc. Desserts, I would make some minor changes. Display of them looked a bit sloppy but we tried anyways! Strawberry shortcake definitely needs more whipped cream,  had a tiny bit not even enough to have with each bite. My mom said the taste was still good! Key lime pie crust tasted a bit off/burnt to me and the side was falling apart.

Drinks from the bar, should only be sold at the bar or order from waitresses because coordinating getting the drink after you ordered in the main line was a little disappointing because it took 20+ to get my drink so I couldn't enjoy with my food and felt rushed after because my table was done eating. I had to ask the waitress about the margaritas since I already ordered from the front. Or have a system to allow bartender to see order right away. He wasn't super busy when we got there so not sure the hold up on the drinks. I was also a bit sad to see on FB after I got home, they had SO many flavors for the margaritas but no one asked me which ones I wanted. I just asked for the margaritas flight and was given whatever they picked, wasn't given a choice. They were just okay for me. All 4 tasted very similar (couldn't taste peach, strawberry,  etc.). I personally wouldn't order the flights again or maybe I would try the different flavors and upgrade them to a better liquor.  Tasted a bit cheap to me.

Lastly,  not everyone eats pork/meat so when serving I would suggest the staff handling the meat, not handle the cornbread,  and other items with meaty gloves. The guy cutting the meat had gloves on but meat all over and he was handling pieces of cornbread (they sold last few slices to customer in front of us)and other sides with same glove. Maybe have the meat person focus just on the meat or change gloves when handling non meat items, especially the pork items. For a person like me who doesn't eat pork, I would of asked for a new slice of cornbread.

All in all, I would go back and love to see the business grow. Experience was nice and food good. Just minor suggestions as they continue to grow and do great things. Thanks for NO wait time on mother's day. So nice to get a great meal without...

A Disappointing Experience at Scratch BBQ

We had eagerly anticipated the opening of Scratch BBQ, following their journey on social media. However, our visit left us with a sense of disappointment and a scratch-off from our list of places to go.

The ordering process was a bit inconvenient, with the lack of meal options and kids' meals. Prices were on the higher side, especially considering the absence of cheaper alternatives for children. We ended up paying more than a neighboring restaurant for less food and, unfortunately, worse quality.

The ordering system, with a separate line for pizza, felt outdated. In the age of technology, a unified ordering system could streamline the process. Having a central checkout where orders are placed, and then using notifications for the pizza station, would be a more efficient approach.

Now, let's talk about the food – the aspect we were most excited about. Sadly, it didn't live up to our expectations. The ribs were overcooked to the point of resembling jerky, and even drowning them in their housemade BBQ sauce couldn't salvage them. Moreover, they were served cold. The Mac and Cheese, chips and cheese, and all cheese-related items had a strange density, lacking viscosity, and seemed more like cement than a delightful cheesy dish.

The green beans were an unwelcome surprise, as they came with stems still attached, making them akin to eating tree branches. Additionally, they were served cold, contributing to the overall dissatisfaction. The sausage links, typically hard to mess up, were served cold as well.

The corn muffins were greasy, resembling a butter-soaked rum cake. Their wet texture was not appetizing.

Even the BBQ pizza, which had potential, was undercooked, with a doughy crust that left much to be desired.

Despite the culinary letdown, the one saving grace was the BBQ sauce. While having only one choice is peculiar, if you appreciate a smoky BBQ sauce, you might find solace in this particular offering.

In conclusion, Scratch BBQ fell short of our expectations in terms of both food quality and overall dining experience. We hope they consider refining their menu and improving their processes to provide a more enjoyable dining experience...

I walked through the front doors of this establishment, and my first impression of Scratch was, "Wow, this is nice!" From the decor to the seating to the live music, I was impressed. The ambiance makes this place very inviting. I was there with my husband and kids, and as we stepped up to the counter to place our order, we were first greeted by the manager who welcomed us, closely followed by the smiling servers behind the counter. This establishment is organized similarly to a southern BBQ joint, and you order meat by the pound (1/2 is what they recommended) and sides are offered as single, pint, or quart. Note that ribs are served as a 1/2 rack or full. We sampled the brisket, shredded chicken, pork ribs, mac-n-cheese, collard greens, and mashed potatoes with gravy. After paying for our order, we picked up our silverware and chose our seats on the bar side of the restaurant. The food was excellent! The homemade BBQ sauces were at the table and each were delicious. We ordered drinks from the bar and our kids could get refills of their pop as they wanted. Normally, I take pics of the food for these reviews, but I was too distracted by the smells and deliciousness in front of me, I HAD to dig in! Their prices are competitive as compared to that BBQ chain restaurant down the road, but the food at Scratch is so much better! Homemade sides beat corporate recipes, hands-down. Whether you're looking for a family -friendly atmosphere or a date night, this is the place to go! It's located just a short jaunt off the freeway for the hungry traveler, so why stop at fast food when you can have real food just as fast? In my humble opinion, it's one of the best, if not THE best, BBQ spots in Genesee County. I'll be going back and strongly recommend this place to everyone. Support local! Support...