Durk's Bar•B•Q — Restaurant in Providence

Great Food!, but a "one and done"

I went there with a friend for dinner following a P-Bruins game on 03APR2022.

Location: Easy to find (as a Rhode Islander). There is a "pay for parking" parking lot directly behind the establishment, so if you didn't walk over from the Dunk, you can park there. It is the same location as the old AS220 and old Satin Doll.

Appearance: Both the exterior and interior the building are quite nice. The bathrooms are clean, feature some stainless, and a lot of hand motion instruments for cleanliness. The seating area is also clean, nice floors, and spacious. Great bar too!

Food: I ate the bbq pulled pork sandwich with a side of fries and mac & cheese. My friend had the ribs and beans. Both meals were excellent. The fries were crisp and hot, the ribs were amazing (from what I was told) and the puled pork sandwich was great. A lot of flavor, not dry. My only observation to the food (not a criticism by any means) was that there was only one selection of bbq sauce on the table.. It was good though!

Drinks: Both of us ordered a house margarita. They were good; however, they were small. I then ordered an IPA from Proclamation, again, I know the product (it was good); however, it was not served in a pint glass. The glass was much smaller.

People: I did not interact with the bartender, so that is not applicable. Our waitress was insanely nice. She was accurate on the order, personable, and she was genuine. The host, on the other hand was the complete opposite. Upon entry to the restaurant the greeting was a "Hi this is what we don't have on the menu. Do you still want to eat here?" There was no smile, no eye contact. Upon seating, the host gave us water and provided plates and utensils, again, looking in an other direction as if we were bothering him. His attire was as unprofessional as his attitude.

Conclusion: Great food (seriously) - but the face of the business doesn't provide me with the "want" to return. There are plenty of other businesses in the area that have both great food and people with great attitudes. I would rather my hard-earned dollar fund their...

I am compelled to express my profound disappointment and concern regarding a recent experience at Durk's BBQ, an establishment that, until this incident, I held in high regard. On a specific evening, my companions and I were assured over the telephone that if we arrived before the 8 PM closing time, we would be graciously served. Regrettably, upon our arrival at 7:55 PM, a mere five minutes prior to the stated deadline, we were summarily turned away.

This experience starkly contrasts with the ethical standards and customer service excellence one expects from a reputable dining establishment. It is a fundamental principle in hospitality to uphold one's commitments, particularly when they have been explicitly communicated to patrons. The abrupt refusal not only breached this principle but also undermined the trust and reliability that are the cornerstones of any service-based industry.

To draw a parallel, imagine the disillusionment one might feel when a promised service by a well-respected institution is unceremoniously withdrawn. Such actions erode the foundational trust and respect that take years to build but only moments to dismantle. The decision to turn away customers who had acted in good faith based on the assurances given by your staff is not merely a lapse in service; it is a breach of ethical conduct that calls into question the professional integrity of your establishment.

In an era where customer experience is paramount, and word-of-mouth can significantly impact an establishment's reputation, it is crucial to reflect on how such decisions affect both current and potential patrons. The incident at Durk's BBQ serves as a stark reminder that every interaction, no matter how seemingly insignificant, shapes the narrative of a brand's identity and its commitment to ethical business practices.

Therefore, I urge you to consider the long-term implications of such decisions and to reinforce the importance of reliability and customer respect within your team. It is not merely about adhering to operating hours; it is about honoring commitments, fostering trust, and maintaining the professional reputation of your...

Great BBQ in Providence!

We enjoy this place for BBQ and think it's one of the better ones in the state of RI. However, we haven't been to all of the newer ones around. Even though it's located on busy Thayer St, parking around the area is not bad! The place was bigger than I expected as it is goes further to the back. The bar is nice and we went there today for Whiskey Wednesday which I got to try 3 different whiskeys - for a price of course! They do also offer beer flights if you'd prefer.

We also ordered macaroni and cheese which was cheesy with a little bit of a smokiness but overall a pretty good and creamy mac and cheese! We also got the cornbread which was delicious and a nice consistency. However, a saltier butter on top would add a nicer touch. The cornbread is also $3 for one piece though. We had the wings well done with buffalo and homemade ranch which was delicious! We thought the ranch was blue cheese as it was creamy and flavorful. We also had the chopped brisket and sliced (in the past) which are both great, just more on the pricey side. We had their pulled pork which was alright. We had the pork ribs and the sausage link which were good too! Overall, our favorite meat was the brisket but also enjoyed the pork ribs and sausage link. Service is always quite quick in here as it is a BBQ joint. The atmosphere is nice and rustic. The employees are friendly and welcoming.

If it's your first time there, you will be seated first, order your drinks and then fill out a sheet of paper of the items and quantity that you want and then the staff will prepare it and bring it to you. Food comes out quite reasonably quick. Unfortunately, this is our second time here and we have been dying to try the brussels sprouts but they have not been on the menu when we visit. Maybe next time -...