Harlem Bar-B-Q — Restaurant in New York

I used to be a regular customer at this restaurant. I went last night to catch up with a friend. I ordered our drinks and appetizers in advance - with the intent to get an entree later. Our server didn’t interact with us for an hour. We had to flag him down to ask to order wings so at that point I asked for them to go. He brought us the bill before my food came. I noticed the 15% additional charge labeled as “tip”. (Having been before, this hadn’t happened in the many times I’ve been.) I asked for this charge to be removed. The server said ok, and took my card. He did not remove the charge. I initially wanted it removed because I don’t think the service we had warranted the 15% charge. After my card has already been charged he says he can’t remove it - so I ask to speak to a manager. We wait for 10 minutes and a manager never comes. My friend asks a different staff member and suddenly the manager comes. I start to explain to him my initial issue: the service we experienced didn’t justify the automatic surcharge. He cuts me off and asks my friend “would a shot remedy this.” (Which bothered me because I was being cut off and ignored in real time.) I point out that other restaurants have signs and disclaimers in the menu for automatic surcharges. The manager ignores me again to ask my friend what she would like. At that point I mention that it’s my card that’s been charged and that I’d like to be heard. And he keeps asking her what would she like to make this better. The fact that he wouldn’t ask me the same question spoke volumes. She and I loved going to this restaurant because we previously enjoyed the food, environment AND the service. Being ignored while trying to order AND while trying to give feedback, I was also cutoff multiple times. This left a negative taste for both of us. Neither of us plan to come back or recommend this to our friends. It’s upsetting me and my homegirl - cause now we have to...

I find it difficult to rate this place, and so I'll explain why I'm giving it 3 stars (and I'm being generous.)

Starting with the decor. It's old, everything from the tables, the chairs, it's like this place was built 20 - 30 years ago and they never attempted to fix or upgrade the place the slightest bit.

Harlem BBQ is part BBQ and part Bar, they decided to split the place in half. The first half is when you enter the place, there's a bar to the right with high tables and stools with a makeshift wooden wall in the middle that separates the bar area from seating area. It isn't the type of place you'd want to bring your family to on a Saturday evening for dinner. It was mainly a bunch of dudes just hanging out and drinking when you walk in, similar to what you'd walk into at a local bar in the area, not a place you'd go out to eat. It's ok if you're going with a group of friends (speaking of Saturday evening.) the noise level from people speaking is on the high end as well, really noisy place.

The food fair here as far as what I had was pretty good. I tried their honey salmon and it was really good, so was their loaded potato and Mac and cheese. The Frozen Drinks were good as well.

As far as the service, I didn't have any problems with my waitress Fatima. She was very attentive and prompt, and came by every so often to check up on us. They also add a Gratuity of 15% for groups of 4 or more and a 15% after 7 PM regardless party size (just an FYI.)

Will I go back to Harlem BBQ? Yes I might, because I know what to expect, and to try their other dishes, mainly their ribs. The food was good and the prices weren't bad either.

I have no idea how Harlem BBQ is during the day or week, only speaking from my experience...

This place is Horrible - mainly due to the extremely unprofessional and rude lady who works behind the bar. I walked in and requested to make a “to-go” order. I was instructed to go to the bar to do so.

When I got to the bar, the worker was on her personal cell phone arguing with someone and completely disregarded me. After requesting a menu, she looked at me and rolled her eyes. She handed me a menu and walked away while continuing with her personal cell phone argument. When I inquired about certain menu items, she again rolled her eyes and seemed completely disinterested in answering my question. Ultimately I walked away and asked the door greeter for another server. The greeter spoke very poor English so was unable to help.

I’m not sure about how the food at this place is, but I would strongly discourage anyone from trying it because of the caliber of people who staff this establishment. These people clearly don’t take pride in the service they provide which would more than likely translate to the quality of the food they serve.

I think they should close down the entire store and start over, at be very least, fire the disgruntled barbtender, or at least instruct her to handle her personal drama away from her place...