Woodchips BBQ — Restaurant in Lapeer

We love to leave positive reviews and support local, but this experience at Woodchips BBQ left much to be desired. Visited during Lapeer Days and were understanding that place was busy. Waited patiently for a table (plenty visibly open); friendly lady at front desk seated us in nicely-decorated room off kitchen. Once seated, we noticed many disgruntled looking people at tables around us. No food on these tables, just a lot of restless people and frowns. After being seated, we waited approx. 10 min. for a server to greet us, and we ordered immediately. Appetizer BBQ eggrolls brought out about 30 min. later. They were marginal...warm but definitely over-fried :( Although hungry, we didn't complain. Couple at table next to us received bad news about their delayed order, and they got up and left, telling us they wouldn't be back. Others remained bummed around us. And we all waited, although seemed to be a lot of staff working...servers casually stopping to talk to one another, others breaking down tables around us...three "cooks" joking around in kitchen, food still not coming out to tables around us. After over one hour, our food is served. Ordered Burnt End Nachos and was surprised to see a plate of chips covered with a thin, odd looking cheese sauce and three small pieces of meat located on one corner of the dish. Like what!? (One regret, in all my disappointment, I didn't take a photo to post of those three little pieces of meat on the nachos!) Took a bite and it was cold...not luke warm, but cold, like it had been sitting for a long time!!! I flagged down server and showed her the cold plate with three little pieces of meat. Was this really a burnt end nacho?! It looked nothing like the pic online! She was friendly and agreed it was very strange! After one hour waiting and a hungry table, I had hesitated to say anything, but quickly realized that others at our table had cold mac and cheese, cold skimpy tacos, etc. We hated to do it, but it was BAD! We offered to pay for eggrolls and drinks and bailed...enough is enough, and after such a long wait, we were eager to get some good food and, luckily, found it outside at the food trucks. Our first visit to Woodchips was a huge disappointment. The worst cold food we've had in a long, long time, and those around us probably would agree. We love to support local, but doubt we'll...

I am very disappointed to write this review because I love Woodchips, and I think Patrick does an amazing amount of good for our community, but I am very let down by my experience today. We had a small group of 7 people that were celebrating St. Pats early, and we all took the day off work and started our day at Woodchips at noon with Ashley. She was clearly unhappy to serve our group and visibly rolled her eyes and sighed several times while serving us, but we didn't let that get us down and still thanked her heartily for her service. We then went to another establishment for lunch and a drink before returning to Woodchips for their fabulous margaritas. We were then told by Ashley that she would not serve us because "they knew we were bar-hopping." We thought she was joking with us, but she was not. We went to three other restaurants downtown following this interaction that had no problem serving our group. I want to note that this occurred at 3 pm. on a Friday afternoon. We were not told we were loud or aggressive or belligerent; just that it was known that we were "bar hopping." I would also like to note that this incident occurred in the social district of Lapeer, where we have enjoyed celebrating St Patrick's day every year. This is the first and only time our group has been denied service. This is very disheartening to me and the rest of our group and doesn't seem in line with the owners vision for the restaurant. While I appreciate a reply from the owner, I don't appreciate the assumptions that were made. You were correct that our group had 1 round of drinks AND a round of waters at Woodchips after getting dropped off by public transportation. We then left and had lunch elsewhere, not "pub crawled around town continuing to drink for hours." We returned carrying cups of water and were not offered water or snacks, just rudely told we could not be served. I'm not sure what "behavioral cues" were noticed, but it seems they were only noted at Woodchips as we went to 3 other restaraunts that had no qualms serving us. We have never considered it a "party bar" but will bear all of this information in mind before returning or recommending the restaurant. Additionally, I fail to see how any of this justifies the rude behavior of the waitstaff during BOTH of our...

i came here for the first time today. Its advertised as bbq and honostly the bbq i had whoch was called burnt ends was absolutely delicious.

Upon entry i was greeted with smiles and enjoyable people who had wonderful personalities. Our server Erikka was a blast, but be warned she will ensure you are hydrated ^_^ ask for her reccomendations as this location has some unique foods. Eggrolls with all kinds of sandwhich type fillings as well as burgers, and other such things.

As for the specific foods i got-

Strawberry lemonade fresh- delicious lemonade but be warned, drink sparingly, it costs per cup and is addicting. They ensure to tell you ahead of time though. 9/10 (cus i need more)

Ruban eggroll- i did not expect this to be as good as it was, but absolutely amazing flavor and easy to eat, if you eat light, this may fill you alone, you get 3 bit they are packed full of substance. 9/10

Burnt ends- fantastic burst of flavor, savory, and easy to eat, despite the name they are not dry at all and melt in your mouth. 10/10

Jambalaya- good flavor, however i was told it would be spicy, and i didnt feel any heat type spice. I did taste flavor but spice too me seemed exaggerated, this may be due to eating a variety of spices over the years. My only true complaint was the sausages. As when i eat Jambalaya i expect the sausages to be super soft like the rest of the dish, these ones seemed a bit on the hard side. Flavor was still on point, but due to the low heat/harder sausage then normal my rating will be. 7/10

Mac and cheese side- ok, so this is where things get tricky because mack and chesse has so many options and opinions. This was a cream sause type mac with i assume a light bake and bread crumbs. The flavor for me was excellent but the sause needed to hit some of the lower noodles as some ended up dry. But as far as mac and cheese is concerned. 8/10

Summary- the workers, environment, and food were very relaxing, upbeat, and delicious and i would come back again if i get the chance. As well as reccommend everyone to try their hand here for an enjoyable friendly meal.

(Note: i don't have a price of my bill this time as those who joined me paid my tab. I believe my meal would have been around 35 usd however that is a...