The Caribbean Cowboy — Restaurant in Garden City

I am not one for reviews but when I see dishonest reviews I feel I need to say something. When someone says they were missing 3 items??? First off the cashier restated everything the group ordered then when they came back up and said they were missing one of the meals she went above and beyond trying to help the group out to fix the order and got it out to them before others that were in line. Also if I'm correct, once they realize they were missing that meal they didn't even want to pay for it, even though it showed they were never charged for it. Unfortunately when you have a large group it is important that when the cashier reads back your order, you pay attention and don't just take for granted that they got it the first time. That is why they are reading it back to you. I'm just saying you shouldn't put your mistake of missing an order on the cashier. You didn't order it, You didn't pay for it, therefore you didn't receive it. And like I said as soon as the cashier took your order for the "missing" meal. They got it to you as soon as they could. It's a good thing it's not my business, with the rude attitude you had, I would have made you go behind all of the rest of us in line to reorder.

As far as our group, We have always had an amazing experience here. Even when they are super busy it has never taken very long to get our food. I guess if some people want to know what long is, feel free to go to one of the shops on the main road. Then you'll be waiting an hour plus for your food. That doesn't include the hour you stand in line before ordering.

Other complaints that I've noticed on the reviews are the fact that they have run out of food. That is one of the best parts about this business. They cook their meat daily it is fresh and yummy! Because of this they smoke/cook a certain amount and when it's gone it's gone. That is why it is important to be one of the first ones there for the day. I'm guessing they do their best to guesstimate how much they will need. I have gone a few times where what I wanted was sold out and I just tried something different. Everything I've tried has been great. I know this was a long review. I just want to state that when looking at reviews you just have to take into consideration that some people only see it from their side. But if you see it as a fly on the wall aka another customer not involved in the situation. It may be completely different. Who knows... Maybe the lady with the bigger group was dealing with a family reunion or family gathering and was stressed out. All I can say is you should definitely give this business a chance and make your own decision. Me personally, I THINK...

I really wanted to love this place. I’m all for supporting local restaurants, and there’s a lot to appreciate here — but for me, it lands at a solid 4 stars, not quite a must-return… yet.

Being a BBQ joint is a tall order. It’s a category where expectations are high and competition is fierce. Caribbean Cowboy hits the mark in some areas, but misses in others. Let’s start with what worked: their BBQ sauce was excellent — rich, flavorful, and clearly house-made. The pulled pork was the standout by far — tender, juicy, and full of depth. That’s pitmaster-level pulled pork. The brisket, while flavorful and well-cooked, was a bit fatty for my preference but still well-executed.

The sides were mixed. Their street corn was a hit — warm, nicely charred, and generously seasoned. But the baked beans were a major letdown. Honestly, they tasted like plain canned pinto beans, straight onto the plate with no sauce or seasoning. It felt like a forgotten side, which stood out given how intentional the rest of the plate was.

Ambiance-wise, I really liked the country-farmhouse vibe. It’s set back off Hwy 89 with a cozy, tucked-away feel that works well, especially for locals or weekend visitors. Plenty of space, even on a holiday weekend — we didn’t feel cramped or crowded. That said, I felt like the restaurant lacked the “soul” most great BBQ joints carry. I want to know who’s behind the smoker — what their story is, where their passion comes from. Right now, it feels like the food is leading without the personality or legacy behind it, and that’s something worth building into the brand.

The house-made lemonade had a fun presentation and was clearly fresh-squeezed, but it was overly watered down. At $7 per drink, I was expecting a punch of bold citrus flavor, especially paired with BBQ. Instead, it was subtle to the point of being forgettable.

Price-wise, it adds up quickly. Two lemonades, one two-meat plate with two sides, and a cornbread ran us about $60 for two people. I understand good BBQ isn’t cheap — and for out-of-town visitors that might be fine — but as a local, it’s hard to support regularly at that price point.

In the end, it’s a place with great potential. Some dishes shine, others still need work. I’d go again, but probably not regularly. Right now, it’s a good stop — not yet...

As a disclaimer, I NEVER leave negative reviews but I hope the owners see this and make some needed changes because I paid a lot of money at this place and it was quite the train wreck.

First, the service. You order up front and they give you a buzzer for when your food is ready. We along with everyone else around us waited a solid 45 minutes to get our food. The plastic forks and knives are not accessible and you have to ask the lady at the cash register for napkins and additional plasticware. Really awkward setup for a restaurant of this type.

Second, the food. The brisket was nearly flavorless and the ribs had barely any BBQ sauce on them. If you are paying $27 for a plate, everything should be on point and this just missed the mark big time. My wife and kids both did not like the food and the other couple with us had the same complaints. We also ordered a "32oz freshly squeezed" lemonade for $6.50. It was closer to 26oz of ice with 6oz of lemonade. It seemed to me to be intentionally misleading.

Third, the atmosphere. That is really the only thing going for this place. There is a great outdoor seating environment and some outdoor games like corn hole. Unfortunately, the environment was not enough to save this place.

Conclusion: I hope these guys figure out their business. I want family businesses to thrive but this place charges a lot of money and missed the mark big time. I also heard about 3 other families complain so I know this was not an isolated experience so I wanted to...