J Bird Smoked Meats — Restaurant in Keego Harbor

We saw all the mixed reviews and still decided to give this place a try, because what do people know? Well, apparently enough. Lol

I’ll start off with the good:

Bf really enjoyed his burger and fries -- he's very critical about burgers. Although they didn’t ask how he wanted his burger cooked, it was cooked well done and he still enjoyed it.

It was a sunny hot day and they opened up all their doors so the inside of the restaurant was very stuffy and hot, with no fans or anything. Not a very pleasant atmosphere for eating. We actually considered walking out upon arrival, turns out we should have. Lol

I ordered the meat sampler. Pulled pork was extremely dry and overcooked. Even when I drenched it in the bbq sauce, it was hard to chew.

Initially, we inquired about our food because it was taking awhile and our nice server told us it takes anywhere from 20-25 minutes. It would’ve been nice to have been informed about that beforehand. So in my head I was expecting a big bone-in chicken breast but it was just an overcooked, dry, small skinless boneless chicken breast. On their menu they state more than once that the Nashville chicken is non-returnable if it’s too spicy but fail to mention that it’s cooked to order and will take at least 20 minutes. I’ve dined at fancier places and have ordered more complicated things than Nashville Hot Chicken, and still got my food more quickly than here. Either you need more manpower in the kitchen, better prep, or better time management.

Baby back Ribs were OK.

Brussel sprouts were barely cooked. No flavor. The server said they’re Al dente but they weren’t even close. Returned them and asked for baked beans.

Baked beans were the highlight of my meal.

Server was very nice, but the place seemed short staffed.

No upbeat energy. Too many iron skillets and needed as many ceiling fans to help with air circulation. Curious-What's the deal with the fish and coral decor?

I was so disappointed with my meal I immediately left because I just wanted the whole experience to be over.

When my bf discussed the dry meats with the server, the chef only offered a $1.50 discount... lol unreal. Even the server questioned that amount and felt terrible about our lackluster experience. $50 tab and 5% off the meal when 2 of the 3 meats were inedible. My meat sampler meal was $30 and I barely finished it. $1.50 discount is an insult and meaningless. I highly suggest the chef tastes what he puts out there. And if he does, that’s abominable.

I genuinely wish this establishment the best of luck because I have no clue how they’re still in...

Replying to the review before this (being I was their server). these 3 individuals (specifically the older 2 couples) were the most unhinged people I have ever served. During my 5 minute wait for the customer to check the drink menu, I went up to their table and simply asked the 2 older couples if they needed any drinks. I was answered by long awkward stares and had to repeat myself 3 times until the 3rd I had to raise my voice for them to simply say that they were waiting for the other guests. As the dining room filled I naturally had more tables to attend, but I was still aware of when the rest of their table would arrive. Once I allowed the table to settle and look over the menu I followed up to ask them for their drinks, which AGAIN no response, this resulted in the 20 minutes Tracy mentioned. this sort of behavior continued as I asked for more drinks I would listen to their order and nod as acknowledgement being that I had 5 other tables I was working on. (also like to add I was the bartender, expediter, and host that night), they wanted to be the center of the attention by yelling their order 5 different times in specific the older gentleman after I rung it up 4 - 6 mins prior. Once I had dropped off their check I then proceeded to help a customer concern in the bathroom, I returned for the older woman to abruptly grab me to say that "this was the worst service I have ever had". I acknowledged her words and said " I appreciate it and I hope you guys have a good night". Then the older gentleman loudly says "HE CAN TALK NOW". Making the whole situation way worse as I thoroughly explained my experience waiting on them. The only reason I was escorted out the restaurant was because the OLDER GENTLEMEN tried to actually PHYSICALLY ATTACK me. At this point the majority of the family was gone and he was still arguing and harassing me. if this is what 20 years of hospitality suppose to teach you (which you falsely added another 10 years Tracey after repeating that to me 3 times in the restaurant. IDK what the standards are if you have families that are being this rude and...

I came here this Fathers Day with my mom and dad, hoping for a good BBQ joint, as it had been our first time here. Upon entering we were seated by an older woman with short hair, all was well up until she came back to put in our drinks. I am 15, and I wanted to try one of their non-alcoholic drinks. To my surprise, she asks how old I am, I tell her, and she tells me that I cannot order the non-alcoholic drinks because they have alcohol in them. Later on, she came back to clean up our table, and she begins taking our plates, no warning, just kind of doing what she wanted to, which to my father, felt disrespectful. He tells her he was still using them, and she says, snarky, “I’ll bring new ones,” and as she had gotten to the other side of the table, she says to my father, “I knew that.”She never brought us back any plates. Then, when we put in our food, I got the 1/2 lb burger, my dad got the Bow Dip thing, which was clearly on our menu, and my mom a chicken sandwich. I got my food correct, my mom aswell, however, my dad got Bow Grizzly, which wasn’t even on the menu we received. Unbeknownst to us, this was the lunch menu, and they didn’t serve the Bow Dip or something. Anyway, our waitress comes to us saying she has to “run errands” mid serve, after that all was fine. We had the Bow Grizzly taken off of our check and we left with a complimentary butterscotch pudding which completely carries the rating. It is incredible. All in all, food was good, service sucked,...