Johnson Bar-B-Q — Restaurant in New York

For those of you who live in the Bronx you know that there are very few BBQ places in the area.

The only other place(in the Bronx) I’ve been too was Hudsons smokehouse. Which you can read my honest review on them.

So as I start my review I like to have a BBQ standard I’m comparing it to.

Dinosaur BBQ. Mighty Quinn’s bbq Hill country BBQ

These are all great bbq joints in Manhattan and they all serve Ribs,Brisket, pulled pork, sausage..

Johnsons Bar-B-Q Review

The Spot:Its very small located in the south Bronx. No seating its like a to go only restaurant. Its relatively clean. 4 out of 5 rating

Service: I’d say standard. They were attentive they acknowledge you they pay attention. 3.5 out of 5

Food portion: They give you alot almost too much 😔its very rare I can’t finish a plate or order. This was one of those occurrences. 5 out of 5

Meat Quality: Okay I’m probably going to ruffle some feathers here..Here’s my honest view. The ribs were cooked to the point where the meat falls off the bone.That’s usually a good standard for ribs. I prefer mine with a little bit of give.I don’t think they use a dry rub.I love flavor and different blends. Unfortunately I didn’t really get that here. Although the meat is good they need season to add more character. Now the mustard sauce. Most bbq is accompanied with bbq sauce with a tomato base. Johnsons uses a mustard base. I personally don’t like it. 2.5 out of 5.

Sides:I had black eyed peas, rice, Mac and cheese. Nothing special here. 2.5 out of 5

Price: I got a pork rib meal for $21. Its on the low end for bbq but I go a lot of food. It’s probably the best Value in 5 boroughs. But I’ve got more to go. 5 out of 5

Overall if you want quantity and a good price this is the BBQ place for you

What they can work on: Make a tomato based bbq sauce. Work on developing a dry rub.They can explore more. Its a bit too vanilla. They need to standout and give people a reason to make long trips from other borough , states, and countries.

Its not common in New York but Beef Ribs are actually really good. I’d love to see more restaurants have this...

I left there yesterday shaking my head and saying to myself; “won’t do this again”. I accompanied a buddy here who against my wishes encouraged me to order. Rude was putting it mildly. Inept and sorely lacking in social graces was another thing. He wore gloves to pick up the slab of ribs but took them off to place my friends food in the carton. Cabbage was hanging off the side and he did nothing to correct this. The dude was sorely lacking in personality and was rude. My friend paid for his order then it was my turn. I declined. I’d rather starve than be treated poorly and be asked to pay for it! When we got to my friends flat my friend wasn’t pleased with his order. Lacking in flavor and a poor presentation seemed to be the issue. I was more than pleased that I hadn’t made a purchase. One wonders at their business model. Yes they’ve been around since 1954 but does that justify being rude and producing a less than satisfactory product? If their food was once stellar perhaps that could justify the thought that the product speaks for itself. And perhaps that could be why their physical plant is so sorely lacking. They just feel like ‘well let’s just concentrate on producing a great product’ the rest is just fluff and unnecessary. Ok. They’re surrounded by low income housing and perhaps this is just part of the mosaic. Perhaps their customer base is used to less than good treatment and the proprietor uses this as an excuse to auto-absolve himself of any sense of decency. If that’s the case & the surrounding community remains the same then they will be around another 70 years....

Ok? where do I began this time around...! I had been a costumer for over a decade but it's only a once in a blue moon that I'll actually get some ribs from there.. Last time I've had ribs here was back in about 2008... They were great then... So today I decided I'll go get ribs. I traveled way across town mind you. When I walked in the place the owner he at first was talking about his relationship experience with younger women this type of talk was so uncalled for I don't need to know you're too old to keep up with younger women.. But anyway🤔 his loudness and his whole demeanor was insulting to say the least. When it was my time to step up to the counter I could not believe the way this man carried on as if I was a piece of rib and cornbread and he just wanted to slop me up and take me to "London" because YES he asked if he can 'take me to London'... I was just so embarrassed and he would not stop... So I got my two orders or ribs and carried on when I got home to try them they were horrible burnt and over cooked... Sort of like old meat you just keep reheating.... I won't throw this place under the bus just yet although he doesn't deserve my money after today but for $28.00 in New York City that's a great deal... Buyers beware inspect the meat before he throws that horrible BBQ sauce on it... Get your own sauce at home any store bought is better than there.... And if you are a lady take your man with you...