Big Jake's BBQ — Restaurant in Hope

I'd eaten here several years ago and remember really enjoying the meal and experience, so I figured I'd swing back after spending overnight in Hope while on a road trip. This visit, I was not very impressed. Now, the pulled pork and beans were fine; not like A-plus caliber, but still tasty. The restaurant was clean. The staff who delivered my meal and took away my tray after I was finished eating were very nice. However...the restaurant opened ten minutes late (10:40 instead of 10:30). That's strike 1. The woman who took my order didn't even acknowledge me when I acknowledged her, prior to placing my order; she even explained the sides to me in a way that I can best describe as being condescending. That same cashier was much more cheerful to people who were probably locals (camo/trucker caps) who walked in a few minutes later. As far as I'm concerned, those are strikes 2 and 3. It's shameful, because I wanted to enjoy my visit as I did in the past, but I have no incentive to ever return to Big Jake's, at least to the Hope,...

I first want to say, I wanted BBQ SOOOO BAD this day. So, I drove from malvern which is an hour from this location to get me some. I just knew I was going to have the best experience what so ever. Well, to my suprise I didn’t. I ordered a beef sandwich, and a 3 meat plate(sliced beef and ribs) w/loaded baked potato and a side of okra totally $27.00. Let’s get into this sliced beef, it tasted like it was soaked in propane from being on the grill or lighter fluid. It was so strong that my husband couldn’t eat his sandwich, and by the time we gotten home it was on my entire plate. It was more of a waste of money, because I wasn’t driving an hour back. I just thought i would have had a better experience then this, on a lighter note the girl at the front was amazing a little...

Super popular so super crowded BUT super GOOD! This place is definitely worth the wait. If you live in the neighborhood, I think you can phone ahead and they will have your order waiting. That's probably the best way to enjoy (and you will want to savor every bite) Big Jakes, as the dining room was very crowded when we visited at suppertime. I felt like hungry animals were circling, waiting for me to finish so they could have my chair. Back to the food... I'm writing this some time after visiting just once and I STILL remember how good it was. You may say, "why only four stars, then?" Well, I save five for places that are truly exceptional. Jakes was just very, very...