Joplin's — Restaurant in Ojai

This place cracks me up. The food is as forced as the walls are painted on 20x trying to look decent. So many layers of paint you might as well just strip it all down and start over. That’s sort of how I feel about the food. There are so many ingredients it’s like it’s just trying so hard. Tri tip was good, and there was enough of it; i ordered the half pound. Brisket bland and not enough of it at all for one serving imo. And the burger was small and wasn’t enjoyed well per husband. All 3 other guests I was with didn’t like the beans (only I did). There was a weird spice in them I guess. If you like classic bbq this is NOT the place to try. This is like some guys dream trying to make gourmet bbq with his own recipes not found in any book. BBQ roulette if you will. Cool bathrooms especially if you’re into punk or rock or both. You order first and then you sit down to eat, which is the opposite vibes of the gourmet-ish-wanna-be(?) vibes of the food itself. Which is probably fine for youngens who don’t know the difference but a little confusing for a little bit older people like myself! You could tell the owner thought long and hard about the best way to do things. He didn’t want gourmet food with real waitresses because what if real waitresses were too hard to find in a small tiny town as Ojai? So he figured gourmet style (pricey small portions with zest) with fast food style ordering would be the safest route. Either way I hope it works out! Any BBQ in ANY town seems always needed no body how many places there are. The drinking water tasted fine or “alright” per husband but wasn’t even cold just like-warm. There were no salt/pepper shakers on the tables which could have been used for the briquette. Everyone’s pallet is different, no need to get offended if someone needs salt or pepper…lol. Especially you punkers shouldn’t give a damn. Lol! I recommend...

Payed a visit to this new gem because the great BBQ hunt continues. Stopped in for lunch Sunday afternoon and from the moment i stepped out of the car I could smell the intoxicating aroma and hear the incredible playlist. For those complaining about the music you would probably do better eating in your car at the crystal gallery down the street. Was greeted by the friendly staff and they walked us through the menu highlighting some of their proud favorites. My wife and I brought our appetite and we settled on a bevy of meats and sides. The sausage link had the best snap, the brisket was unctous, the ribs were delicate. Both bbq sauces changed the flavor profile of each bite allowing us to enjoy our meal in different and incredible ways. The sides…I can probably write a whole chapter on just how fabulous the sides were. I’m sorry if folks expect smoked beans out of a can or your mema’s yellow mustard potato salad, but these sides HIT! The potato salad was giving me samosa. The slaw was bright and acidic. The kimchi crushed your typical bread and butter pickle. Even though we were stuffed, we couldn’t step away without trying what the server touted as “the best milkshake”. It’s called the Thunderstruck and my wife and I polished this bad boy so quickly I think I swallowed the straw. The Namari (a complex N/A Amari) brought the wow factor in this decadent dessert. Please please please get this milkshake because she may have been write. This isn’t Lucille’s, this isn’t Texas, this isn’t what you expect from BBQ joints. This is just delicious food that feels like a love letter to smoke, meat,...

Concerned...showed up in Ojai at noon on a busy Saturday. Entered Joplin's to find it empty??? The waitress was very nice and I placed my order for their 14 hour smoked brisket, some corn bread, and some potato salad. Very dark inside by the booths with fairly loud classic rock playing. Fine as I am a fan, but would have been an issue if I was trying to have a conversation. I think a blues vibe would have been better. JMO. Ok, so I know good BBQ (been to all the top spots in Austin,TX and other similar areas). So I was excited to hopefully find some great locally smoked brisket; the meat was tender, juicy, good smoke, but way too salty for my taste. Probably the bark. An easy adjustment that should be investigated. I did not care for their potato salad. Too much going on here. The highlight was their cornbread. Loved it! I honestly think the prices were the culprit causing the empty house. Maybe if we're talking Franklin's or Terry Blacks... I'll give the ribs a...