Prater's BBQ — Restaurant in Morrison

Starting off, there are different prices for the same thing on the online menu. One list says a half rack of ribs with no sides is 12.99. It's actually $16.99. I didn't see the new menu because it's just a picture of a partially legible, handwritten menu board. We decided to dine in and upon entering, I smiled and asked if we just seat ourselves. I was answered in a tone that suggested I was stupid for asking, "Um, if you want to eat you place your order here first." Okay, like fast food service, got it. While placing our order, I asked if the ribs were pork or beef. The kid couldn't give me an answer. Okay then, I asked if they had fried okra. The answer I got was, "We're out of sweet potatoes." Umm, okay... not what I asked, but thanks for the info. So I asked what the ranch beans are. I was told it's a sweet and spicy bean. But really, it's just super runny chili. We ordered fried pickle chips as an appetizer, which came out with the meal, defeating the purpose of getting an appetizer. After ordering, I go to pay for one plate of food, a half rack of ribs (no sides), 2 chicken strips with fries, fried pickles, and 3 drinks. It's nearly $60. They can't give me a receipt. Okay... Next, we go to sit down. There are only 2 tables occupied in the whole restaurant, but we couldn't find a clean table. The floor was so sticky and gross that it sounded like ripping velcro every time I would take a step. Our food finally came out and it looked great. But it didn't taste great. We tried to eat what we could. I told the boy who took our order that the fried pickles were SO salty that they were completely unpalatable. He looked at me confused, so to clarify, I said, "We can't eat these. They're way, way too salty." Like, make you sick, salty. I wanted a refund on the pickles and the response I got was, "Oh, I don't know how they make the batter." The staff wasn't UNfriendly, but couldn't answer simple questions about the menu, or about getting a refund on the pickles. They were mostly just indifferent. No one smiled, or was particularly polite. Which I found strange considering the size of the tip jar at the register. And on that note, I leave a minimum 20% tip. So, about $12 in this case it should have been. More if the service and food are good. But this is just counter service. You get everything yourself, like normal fast food. The staff brings the food only to your table here, just like Whataburger, Panera, Captain D's, Chick-fil-A, you got the idea. None of those places wait on you that you tip for. Praters is no different. I thought, I'll see how the meal goes and throw something in the jar on my way out, because I respect a good hustle. But they can't be bothered to greet patrons and say hello, smile, know the menu, or clean the dining area. Overall it was really disappointing. If I could leave less than one star, I...

Every time I get south of the Mason Dixon line I start obsessing about pulled pork. I always just think there is going to be BBQ every 50 feet but that's actually not the case. The day I ended up at Prater's was a Monday and all the other BBQ places were closed so I drove 20 miles out of my way to come here and I was not disappointed. The atmosphere, whatever you want to call it, was 100% exactly what you would dream of if you are from Ohio like me and you want the full southern bbq experience. The parking lot was full and even had a tractor parked in it so you know that's a good sign. Inside it was just the perfect atmosphere, with little tables with red and white checked plastic tablecloths. I scored a little tiny table right by the window. The food itself was good, it was maybe not the most flavorful food I have ever had in my life but it reminded me of my Kentucky grandparents' food which was always on the bland side. But I was very happy with my bbq sandwich. If I had to do it again I would maybe not order the potato salad because it literally had no flavor whatsoever. It was just like how my Grandma used to make it. I give this place 5 stars because it was exactly what I wanted. The service was excellent and the other customers were so gentlemanly. In Ohio they practically elbow you to the ground to get to food but in Tennessee apparently they still have something called manners. If I am ever in the area again I will happily go out of my way to go to...

New to the area, we have tried 3 BBQ joints thus far and unfortunately still on the look for that traditional southern BBQ.

I ordered a Family Pack - 1lb pork, beans and slaw. And a 1/2 rack of ribs to sample. The pork was good. They gave us 2 small buckets of I guess their regualr or mild BBQ sauce. Then 2 buckets of what tasted like diluted Frbks red hot sauce. I wish they'd had just given us 4 buckets of normal sauce.

The beans? Ranch beans are basically chili. Wendy's calls it chili. Waffle House calls it chili too. When we make homemade chili, it's basically ranch beans. What happened to BBQ baked beans with onion,pepper,and pork. The slaw was too course for our liking. The finer variety pairs with sammiches better. Also, with it being a longer cut it doesn't seem to be as much.

The ribs where probably the best but comparing it to what we got still isn't a home run. Maybe a base hit.

Lastly, when I check their posted prices... $24.99 /Family Pack and 16.99/hlf rack O ribs that totals around $42. I was charged $52? I did ask for a receipt, however the one the young man gave me only shows a total charged not a breakdown.

Inside felt cramped and busy.

If you're ever in Chattanooga TNn, try Purple Daisy BBQ . Or Bama Boys BBQ in Hengar AL. Hopeful to find that classic BBQ...