Adam's Rib Smoke House — Restaurant in Salem

First time at the original location downtown. Quite different from their north location. Food quality was very good. But..... the ketchup bottles hadn't been filled the night before or that morning. The restaurant had been open an hour, I was the only customer, there had been time. Ketchup can vinegar and sour, this was on the verge..... Temperatures are rising outside as of today 4/24/18 they need to watch this. The bottom bun of my BBQ Chicken sandwich was very stale. I like to put on lots of sauce, so I eat the sandwich with a fork. The bottom bun was hard enough to where I had to pierce it and then twist a whole revolution at the fork, like I was picking up pasta in order to break off a bite.... Nice buns they selected, if they were put in the bag and twisted tight when stored. Looked like the female order taker was still cleaning external BBQ sauce nozzles on tables. Means it too was left like that over might, at least take the tops off and wash them and replace, that area is exposed to air just inside the tip for how long at a time? Guy put sandwich together and was wiping his counter area later but his tee shirt was so short that you get a view of 4 inches of belly bottom and a navel while wiping the high counter. Next, another guy came out of the back in shorts, shoes semi tied and no socks. Neither would get an overall attempt at hygiene award. The female at the counter was a youthful speed talker, for real, but enunciated well! I tried to go to the bathroom 3 sets of times in less than an hour, and it was occupied. I was the only customer, and only saw the 2 other male employees there while I was there..... The floors looked mopped but not clean, like the grease wasn't fully lifted up with the cleanser, just smeared around and smoothed out and basically reapplied..... I used to manage restaurants and I'm no Pollyanna but at least act like you pay some attention, and realize this is a restaurant and not your home! Dont serve me full day old bread on half my 9$ sandwich, and why weren't the 2 halves equally stale, where'd you get the 2 separate halves of bread? French Fries are a mainstay, have the ketchup bottles full please when you open, not a half vinegared 1 inch in the bottom to start with. No standard check to see if the food was ok.... no access to the bathroom cause you are competing with staff, and it was occupied for a few minutes each time, I hung out a bit waiting each time. When you come to work.... Come prepared to work, get the place prepped to open, show that you think of and care about what the customers experience is like.... The whole service end seemed, second rate, done second class at best..... It came off like the whole place was not very hygienic as a possibility, as that seemed to be no ones fore thought..... You have good BBQ, but if you want to have a restaurant then Run the Restaurant..... This place is coasting along at best... I think I will wait an hour till 11 for an opening and drive to the north location next time. I'm dont feel overly secure about the downtown location. Training, a manager, and attention to several details are necessary. None of it is a lot of work actually, you just need to act like you know to do these little things and then do them..... That's my...

This is my second time eating here, the first being over three years ago. I remember thinking that the food was good, but I left feeling a little disappointed but willing to try again. Fast forward to today and I’m dying to have some turkey! I ordered on Grubhub and received my order, the barbecue sauce as spilled all over the bag. I completely understand this might have been from the driver though. The best part of the meal was definitely the turkey, though I did feel like some of it was really dry. But the barbecue sauce helped; I usually don’t like barbecue sauce but liked theirs. The turkey also came in a huge to go box, which I was super excited to see in the bag. My thought was, “oh wow, what a portion!” But sadly, when I picked it up it was very light and not very full at all. I understand additionally that the meal I got only had 1/4 lb of meat, but I think that a smaller, more compact box might do better for serving, just so people don’t feel like they are getting less because of portion to box ratio. The two sides I had were garlic mash and French fries (potato girl here!) as well as a side of Texas toast. The garlic mash was alright, but it needed salt- both of the sides did. I once again got away with using barbecue sauce to add a little more flavor. I was really disappointed with the fries, which were greasy, floppy, and needed salt. I really appreciated the portion size of the fries, but wished they were just a little more crispy. I know that the owner said in a previous response that their main focus is the meat, but I also feel like the sides should be amazing as well. Additionally, while the Texas toast was good, the cheese was a little burnt and super crispy, which felt like kind of a bummer when there was a whole bunch of other little things that made the experience less than 5 stars. Overall, I would try again, but I don’t know if I’d seek out Adams. My meal was good, but not amazing, but it could be if there was just some small changes to...

First time here. I usually grade in three areas. Atmosphere, service and food. Atmosphere. First thing arriving to the area realized there is a limit amount of parking. Older section of Salem so angle parking is in front of businesses. I enjoyed the quaint building, inside and outside. Inside was clean and well maintained. Staff. Staff was friendly and helpful. Food. Not the best not the worst. I've read all the reviews from best to worst. The pros I found was even though the brisket was not chopped but pulled is not a big deal to me. I found the beef tender and juicy. Not dry or overly saturated with juice. I am probably one of weird ones but I don't mind a little bit fat. It's how I do mine. Con was it really lack seasoning. I was expecting some SPG season but didn't found any. Seasoning helps compliment the flavor profile. The sausage was ok. Not sure who they use as a supplier but it has the same flavor as something you find in a store. I liked it but it didn't wow me. The pork ribs. Had 3 bones and I cut the first rib to see the smoke ring. Very faint smoke ring. Very low smoke flavor in the rib.Not sure what kind of wood they are using. I noticed the rub was wet and clumpy. So the bark on the rib I could wipe off with my finger. That's was disappointing. Not sure what rub they are using but it also lack flavor. Ribs were just the right amount of tender. Not fall off the bone but has that little bit of pull from the bone. Coleslaw, Beans and rice and sweet corn muffin. Coleslaw I enjoy. Not overly wet or drowning in dressing. The beans and rice loved it. Had some spice with a hint of sweet. Then corn muffin was dry and had to much salt for my taste. I know BBQ is subjective. I judge based on my 30 year of BBQing, tasting BBQ across this nation and as I certified BBQ judge. I think Adams Rib could be better with a few fixes. I know having consistent food in a restaurant is difficult so I...