Jay's Smokin BBQ — Restaurant in Punta Gorda

This is a newly opened bbq restaurant just south of Punta Gorda on the 41. I was excited to try this restaurant as a bbq enthusiast. The location was semi convenient in the old Muscle Car City center. We walked in and walked up to the front desk as instructed by the sign on the door. There was 3 young woman employees talking to each other who ignored the fact that 3 customers were standing in front of them. After they finished their discussion and two of them called away the remaining worker asked how she could help. I said a table for 3 with the 3 of us standing together. She asked if it was the 3 of us which I thought was an odd question but I said yes and we were seated quickly.

Our server was a very young girl who was clearly very inexperienced and unsure of herself. I ordered a draft beer and was told they don’t have draft beer so I said a bottle was fine. My wife ordered a regular old fashioned cocktail and the girl was extremely confused and said she did not know what that was. We showed her the drink menu where they had a smoked old fashioned cocktail and said we want that but not smoked. She thanked my wife and said she didn’t know what the cocktail was.

After a bit I flagged her down and said I wanted some brisket burnt ends. She responded by saying they were out of everything brisket. This is where I have an issue. Clearly brisket was the primary chosen item if they were out of all of it. That is the sole reason we went there was to give their brisket a try. When people check in at the front they should be told up front that they were out of it. Instead they waited to inform us that fact until we had already ordered drinks. That is poor business practice. It clearly says on the menu that items are sold until sold out. I get it, but let the customer know up front.

Two of our group ordered burgers and the server asked what 2 sides. I pointed out that the menu said only one side came with those items. The server was confused. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich and asked if I needed to order the corn bread separately as it was not indicated included as the plate meals did. She said no that we would all get corn bread.

It was a very busy evening so we were fine with the time of the delivery of the food. Lo and behold we didn’t get any corn bread. Both burgers were done correctly and really enjoyed. The pulled pork was just okay. It was very moist but on the pork I had it had almost no rub and no smoke ring so it had almost no flavor. It was very tender and moist though.

So our overall experience was a 3 of 5. The girls at the front were more concerned about having their conversation than helping us get seated. The server had almost no product knowledge or menu knowledge which meant we missed out on the corn bread she said was included. The burgers were good but the pulled pork was just okay. They should inform people upfront that they are out of such an anchor item like brisket so people can choose to stay or go elsewhere and return when they can get the item they want. Oh and the bbq sauce had great flavor but the spicy was not spicy at all which was a disappointment. I was hoping to give the lack luster pork some spicy sweet heat but the sauce did not deliver. Since they just opened we will give them time to evolve and we will...

My wife and I just moved down here from up north. We saw the reviews for this place and figured it would be worth a shot. Its roughly a 30m drive from where we live but for good food we usually do not mind. We got there and were seated. About 10 minutes later our server came over and asked us what we would like to drink. We ordered our drinks and put in an app and she said she would come back to take our food order. 10-15m later she came back with our drinks. I had asked for the Kona Big Wave they had on tap and she brought me a Corona. That could have just been me and maybe she didnt hear me very well considering they sound similar so I let it go and she brought me the drink I requested. About 10ish minutes later she came back over and asked what we would like to order. My wife starts to tell her and she says "Hold on - I forgot my pen. Ill be right back." That was the last time we saw her. 10ish minutes later we decided we were done with this place and requested to just pay for our drinks so we could leave with the hostess. We were told our waitress and the other hostess walked out mid-shift. We would have been sitting there forever never getting food ordered because our waitress was no longer in the business. Worst experience I have ever had at a restaurant. The Manager came over to apologize and stated that "This is the 2nd time she has done this. Shes a really good server, though." Okayyyy. As compensation for our terrible time we got 10% off our next trip. Unfortunately there will never be a 2nd trip and im not sure 10% would ever be enough to compensate for all that wasted time and absolutely terrible customer service. Ive never in my life had anything quite like it happen...

Went to Jays randomly and was shocked beyond belief when I had some of the best barbecue I’ve ever had. I have traveled all over this great land enjoying BBQ and have the benefit of an airplane to search out good BBQ joints to try. Jay’s is a very good smoke flavor and their green beans and Macaroni and cheese are must haves.

One complaint I have after tonight being my second go enjoying Jays BBQ after just eating in the restaurant last week is the size of their sides.

I knew I loved the food son I decided to order a whole pound of Brisket versus ordering a meat platter I figured I would rather have plenty of leftovers so I opted for meat by the pound and family style sides. I asked the person on the phone how big the sides are and was told they would feed two people. Now if your ordering meat and sides family style two would be the minimum I would think the sides would feed so I ordered a large and was shocked to find two containers half full of Mac and cheese and green beans enough to feed one food meal.

So the sides are small but the food is great.

All in all Jay’s is a really great Texas...