Papa Buck's BBQ — Restaurant in Metter

Update: sadly for me, the employees are no longer wearing masks here :( so please do not stop here IF you read my review from when they were, AND the fact that they were masked is the deciding factor because you are being cautious enough to only eat at places where they mask. I still look forward to hopefully stopping here again someday, when it seems safe enough to do so. If masking is not a concern for you, I imagine the food here is probably still as good as it was several months ago. :)

Conveniently next door to Jay's truck stop (a loaded rgn trailer can access the lot!). We ordered takeout as I have concerns about Covid and make most of my meals myself; this week is the first time in 8 months I have eaten a few takeout meals I did not make. Employees were masked, and our wait was super short (well under the 15 minutes anyone with Covid concerns might hope for). It actually took us longer to decide what to eat, than for them to have it ready. The lady helping us was extremely friendly, helpful, and generally awesome! :) The bbq pork was good, but the potato salad was both unique and amazing, and the mac--n-cheese was homemade fabulousness. I really regret not trying the sweet tea; I have yet to order any "out", but this place likely had great tea. The cheese fries had real cheddar melted on them, and were good. If you eat meat, definitely worth stopping here; if you are vegetarian, you may not get a well rounded and healthy meal here, but they do have carb-loaded-deliciousness options available. :) As a vegetarian, I often (pre-Covid, anyway) frequent BBQ spots with my meat eating friends and family; many have almost nothing for me to eat, but when I come across one that has vegetarian options, whether a main course or a variety of veggie-friendly sides (like here), it is often well worth the stop. This place is one I really, really hope to return to someday. I wish this was located near my house. Also, if you really know how to put down a mass quantity of food, they have a "3lb bbq on 1 lb bun in one hour" option/challenge.

Definitely...

I stopped in around 3pm on a weekday, The place was empty. I ordered a 2 meat plate with 2 sides.

No smell of smoke outside or inside. This is always your first hint to eat somewhere else.

Ribs 3/5 Pulled Pork 2/5 Brunswick Stew 0/5 Baked Beans 2/5 BBQ Sauce 1/5

First impressions were that the food looked good, especially the ribs. So I tried them first. First bite towards the thinner part of the bone was excellent… great seasoning, flavor, texture, and cooked just right. I don’t know what happened in the cooking or holding process, but the thicker end of each rib was far more tough. Barely edible really. I can only guess that they weren’t cooked enough. If these ribs were cooked/held better they could easily get a 5/5 from me.

The pulled pork was dry and mostly flavorless.

The Brunswick Stew didn’t taste anything like any I’ve had in the past… so 1 bite was enough for me.

Baked Beans about as plain as can be. They tasted nearly straight out of the can with some meat added.

The sauce tastes familiar… probably a regional flavor. Not for me.

Additional charges for pickles, jalapenos, onions, etc. no sauce at the table. No napkins at any table.

I can’t imagine how things are much different on any given day that warrant this place a 4.6/5 on google. The food was below...

I recently had the pleasure of working with Papa Buck's BBQ for a South African-style BBQ for clients, and I must say they went above and beyond to make sure everything was perfect. From the initial booking, to learning to make a South African cake, to the final clean-up, the team was extremely accommodating, professional, and friendly. They even allowed us to have specialty sausages and seasons drop shipped from a South African butcher to their restaurant for that authentic flavor.

The team at Papa Buck's BBQ, led by Jeremiah, Seth, and Ney-Ney, not only provided delicious food that surpassed our expectations but also took care of all the details, including set-up and presentation. Their attentive staff ensured everyone had what they needed, making the dining experience truly exceptional.

Overall, I was thoroughly impressed with Papa Buck's level of service and attention to detail. They truly went out of their way to cater to our needs and make this client event a success. I highly recommend this restaurant for any catering or dining needs and will definitely be using their services again...