Smoke Shack DelicaTexan — Restaurant in San Antonio

I'm updating my review after the service I experienced today.

I've been going to this meet market for near 5 years now. We've gotten our Thanksgiving meals from them three years running now. Every other visit from the inlaws our family goes to Pig Pens or Smoke Shack proper near guaranteed. I specifically drive to this meat market 20 minutes away because it was THE meat market to go to in San Antonio. In short, dedicated repeat customer.

My wife requested I smoke a brisket for her birthday this week. I called on 7/1 to reserve a brisket and to have it trimmed because the last time I ordered one from Smoke Shack they ran out when they told me they had reserved one for me (only happened once and things happen so that's ok) and because of the July 4th holiday coming up. I was told it wasn't necessary and just swing by. I stop by on 7/2 during lunch. There's no line besides one person who came in a few minutes after me and the staff wouldn't trim it for me. Every excuse was offered to not trim it (render it out, use it to cook with, trim it yourself, it'll be fine I'm sure) and it's not like they wouldn't charge for trimming it. I have a small kitchen and people coming over. I did not want to have to mess with trimming a brisket and was happy to pay for it but I'm already way out of my way at the store, fine I buy it. The counter guy had some f off energy for sure.

If the refusal was because they were slammed for lunch rush on sandwiches, cool.i get it. I called the day before but I get it I'll deal if that's the scenario. That wasn't the case though. I was treated like a total inconvenience shopping here and expected better. Again I called a day ahead to have it in and got push back then too. $105 for a 17.5lb choice brisket pre-tax and pre-tip and I'm willing to pay more to remove the headache of trimming it. I was going to order their Tri tip sandwich while I was there but after the exchange I just wanted to get home.

I'm no longer shopping here. I'll try Coopers down the street and other meat markets in town. The service does not justify the hassle of shopping here. Hell Costco is selling prime briskets at $5/lb meanwhile untrimmed choice is $6/lb here? Message received, don't give the Conger...

I typically don’t post reviews but I hope this can shed some attention to the owner or upper management. I went to this place for their sandwiches with coworkers, as it was advertised on social media. The first few times it was great, Great quality and customer service from the staff. I worked in the area for a while I had been there multiple times and stopped going since we relocated. I recently went back with my wife and it was the WORST!!! sandwich experience. They must have revamped their staff, the girl and guy that were always making sandwiches are no longer there, the sandwiches were not the same as before and the new guy making the sandwiches seemed to be clueless on what he was doing. Everything about the sandwiches was different: soggy bread, vegetables were just thrown on them very messy, they forgot to add dressing to one of my sandwiches and the presentation was horrible. I heard from a buddy of mine that he also has had a bad experience recently. Changes need to be made ASAP if you all want customers to go back. The business showed potential at first, I can’t say that now. I will not...

I thought about grabbing some meat, but I found myself most interested in the sandwiches just before I visited today. The service, sandwiches, and the chips and salsa that I grabbed were all so great. The El Jefe and the Cuban were the best sandwiches that I've had in years. The giardiniera in the El Jefe and the Smoke Shack Pulled Pork in the Cuban were the most memorable aspects of each sandwich. But, most importantly, each sandwich was masterfully crafted, and each one was layered with awesome flavors from high-quality products. The house-made salsas with the little bags of tortilla chips that they sell were great - packed with flavor. If you don't end up enjoying your experience at the meat market when you visit, you should try their awesome barbecue next door! Thanks for...