Danken Trail B-B-Q — Restaurant in Monroe

Ok, this is going to be a kind of long review because I have a lot of history with this establishment. I moved here in the late 80s to go to college and one of the few places I could go out and eat at an affordable price and had GREAT food was Dan-Ken Trail. I mean, hell, military pilots from the entire southern part of this country made it a must stop on their training flights. The squadron patches on the walls of the restaurant are proof. The BBQ was awesome and the price was very affordable. I knew the original owner and he was a wonderful person. Fast forward to today and things are not the same. I know these are trying times and it’s hard to make money in the restaurant business but come on, you still need to give your customers their monies worth. Dan-Ken Trail has been under new management for a while and I really think the quality has dropped considerably. I used to eat here weekly with a buddy but he will no longer eat here because the food quality vs price is so bad. I had lunch one day with my grandson and he had a rib plate, that was very pricey by the way, and it was essentially rib bones with a little skin on them. I have refrained from writing a review because I knew the original owner and know the current owner. But tonight, kind of pushed me over the limit. I have refrained from eating at Dan-Ken Trail for all of the above reasons but I still get a hankering for that old BBQ that they used to produce. So tonight, the wife and I ordered takeout from them. I ordered a Ham po’boy with fries. I got a ham po’boy and that’s it. Now I know by its self-that’s not a big deal but when you add in all the other……kind of makes you want to cross Dan-Ken Trail off your list. I can tell you, its off mine. I hate it but have no choice. Things have gotten too expensive these days, you have to choose where to spend your money and would at least like to get what you pay for. By the way, the fries were marked on the order form….just not included...

Ordered take out last night as it was steak night. Ordered loaded pots as one of the sides. When I took the first bite I realized the potatoes were soured.i work at a restaurant in the area so figured I would give them a courtesy call to.let them know so no one would get served them & get sick. When I called to ask for the manager I told her who I was as I am a long standing customer & I informed her I did not want a refund just wanted to give them a heads up. I knew from my husband who watched them make the plate that it was the last potatoes in the bottom of the pan. The manager told me she had eaten those potatoes earlier & they were fine. When I called back this morning to speak with the manager he told me the loaded potatoes couldn't be bad because there is nothing in them to go bad but they contain cheese. I offered to bring them & let him smell them he didn't want to. Also the worst steak we ever got there. Ordered both medium well but one of them was burnt to the point it was inedible. We are long standing customers & have never had a problem with anything we ordered from them previously. We won't be back not because of the problem with the good cause honest mistakes happen everyday we won't be back cause no one there could acknowledge from a long standing customer that something could have happened to make the...

I travel and eat BBQ all over the states; when they're having a good day, Danken's meats are as good or better than any I've had anywhere. I recommend skipping the traditional sides of beans, potato salad, and coleslaw in favor of their greens, green beans, or dirty rice. In addition to BBQ, they have po-boys and fried catfish available. Both are great options. Ask for a cup of their "rib paint"; it's a sweeter version of their house made sauce (and it's not on the menu).

"The Trail" warrants a 4.5 star rating. Here's why it's not 5 stars: -The quality is a bit hit or miss sometimes, especially the ribs. (The chicken is always EXCELLENT though.) -The mashed potatoes are instant! -The prices are a bit high, but hey- it's good BBQ.

Pros: -The CHICKEN! Just order some. You'll like it. -Fresh bread, from which they make amazing toast that comes with your order. I've become spoiled to this, and have since never been satisfied with the bread at any other BBQ joint. -The sides I mentioned above, as well as their hand-cut-to-order fries. -They have reasonably good lemonade- not that Minute Maid fountain trash. -Last but not least, THE SMELL! Hours after you leave here, your clothes will still carry the aroma of deliciousness that fills this place...

If you want BBQ and you're within an hour drive of Danken Trail, this is where...