Backroads BBQ — Restaurant in Lebanon

The food good was good. We arrived at 20 after noon. It was busy. It took awhile to be seated because they were short staffed. One of the workers tried to sit us at a tall table (bar stools) table when we have 2 kids and my grandmother (86 years old). There was a short table next to this tall table. We asked to be seated at the shorter one. We arrived before several groups. We were the last of these groups to get our food. The waitress was very kind and apologetic. However, from the time we arrived to the time we got our check, it was 2 hours or more. Of the two hours, 20 minutes was waiting to be seated and 20 minutes was actually eating. It took an hour or more to get our food, even though all the other parties had their food and already left. We understood the wait to be seated. We were upset that it took over an hour to get our food when every other table had gotten their food.

We expressed our displeasure with the food wait to the waitress and asked to be compensated with a discount. The waitress came back, but management said that they could only give dessert. They had a couple of pie options and brownies. Plus we had a diabetic in our group, so this option was not the best. At this point we wanted to talk to the manager. The manager didn't come out until we got our checks. It felt like she was avoiding coming over.

When we finally got our food, the waitress said that it took a long time because we got 'dark meat' chicken and they had to cook all new chicken. That take 18 more minutes. That is fine, but that doesn't explain the hour wait for food. Also does that mean they don't cook the fried chicken and tenders fresh?

Finally the checks came and we once again we asked to speak to the manager. Despite the long wait, we were not disrespectful to anyone. We didn't tell, nothing of that manner. The manager gave the same excuses about the chicken, (apparently all other customers served before us got pulled pork), they were short staffed, etc. I tried to say something, but I was cut off and the manager said that she would only speak to my mother because she was paying. That was absolutely not true. My bill for my family was more expensive than the other two bills at our table. Then the manager proceeded to insinuate that we were unforgiving of the situation and petty because we asked for a discount. She didn't say this but her words and attitude towards us definitely suggested this. She also told my mom that she shouldn't get this upset over food. It never registered that we were upset by the 1 hour plus wait and the treatment from management. After about a 10 minute, one-sided conversation, we said to just give us the bill. We didn't get the discount and no apologies from the management. We may of gotten an apology wrapped with excuses.

The food was good, waitress was very nice and pleasant, the management (possibly owner) was downright disrespectful. I am a small business owner myself and I understand that you can't please everyone. However, this manager needs some education on how to treat your customers especially first timers. This was our first time going to this restaurant and it will be our last. From one business owner to another, reading 'Hug your Haters' would go a long way to helping improve...

Food-we came with plans of ordering the cheddar biscuits with apple butter and to my amazement they came with glasses of water, and with a table of 4, they didn't last but the server had another basket on deck. I'm not sure if the extra basket came with an extra charge, I never looked because we came to eat and review. I said bring um, they brought um. Delicious! way to start. We missed the starters after devouring the biscuits and went str8 to ordering our mains. Daughter got the classic Backroads Burger with Baked Beans. my son got the 1/2 lb Brisket with Cajun fries. My wife ordered the classic Mississippi Catfish sandwich with corn pudding and pasta salad. I wanted the 1/2 rack of baby back ribs with cole slaw. only complaint was from me, and that was about the abundance of vinegar I could still taste. assuming it's all vinegar based, which many items are, vinegar stands out for it is very potent so knowing customers are ordering multiple items containing vinegar, as you would with salt, a smaller moderation of vinegar should be used on the menu or a separation of vinegar by having it on the table but thats just a suggestion. Service-highly friendly as we had a young 18 yr old so when it came to our specialty drinks, she wasn't age appropriate for taking the order though she did which wasn't at fault to her but possible management delegations that should shift to 21 yr old and older servers since an age appropriate server had to deliver them for her it just feels like as a facility they should avoid the possibility of influencing the youth by allowing them partake in the ordering of such. my suggestion her is to install table communication software that scans the ID and leaves the ordering at the table and verification upon delivery. But all the food arrived in a splendid timely manner and the server checked up on us routinely. Atmosphere-knowing it was going to rain between 4 and 5pm, we decided to arrive 6pm. We didnt want the place to be empty but we hoped it wasn't full either, makes it easier to judge moods of the staff and timeliness. As we arrived we came in thru the back parking lot meaning they have both front and back entrances and exits. Not seeing many cars we figured they belonged to staff and maybe we woukd have the place to ourself anyways. There was a customer at the abr area and a couple near the area we were sat, but all in all it was peaceful. The wall decor could use a mix but 'Backraods' being the brand I understand the abundance of license plates and streetsigns, but doesn't Backroads have a deeper meaning that could be metaphorically explained with signage? Which brings us to the next question-Will I be returning? absolutely because there are another round of items I'd like to try and add to this...

I just want to share how our experience was in your restaurant on May 29th. First of all our waitress informed us that they were very short staffed and if we could please have patience it would be appreciated. As a group of four we truly appreciated the heads up and immediately had much more patience given that we knew the situation. Would highly recommend that when you are short staffed that your wait staff share that information with every table, if they're not already doing so.

Our server was very attentive even though she was only one of two people on the floor. She provided great service and kept a smile on her face the entire time. We truly appreciated the services she provided to us throughout our meal. Our server was Erin D. and she is a GREAT asset to your company!! We were a group of four who traveled from Indianapolis and Lafayette to meet in the middle. The middle was Lebanon. It was our first time in your restaurant and the food was very tasty! We had turkey, brisket, ribs, pulled pork and garlic sausage. This side items (fries & coleslaw) were fabulous.

The restaurant was clean and had a nice ambiance. Your restrooms were clean :-) Would highly recommend your restaurant to anyone!! But moreover, would definitely request Erin as our server the next time we visit your establishment. I would suggest giving your staff, who are committed and come to work everyday, an extra bonus in order to reward them for their dedication to you and your business. As a small business owner myself I would love to have the kind of hard worker Erin is as one of...