Pappas Bar-B-Q — Restaurant in Spring

Amazing how two BBQ restaurants can be so vastly different (referring to the Hickory place -reviewed-we choked down a few weeks back). Which is probably a silly thing to say when every restaurant holds a differing experience. Happily this evening was full of yummy food and good conversation.

This location is the one at the corner of FM1960 and Cali Drive close to I45 and the Northwest Hospital. As you can see from the picture you can't miss the sign. What you should notice however is the regular Sunday All you can eat Rib Special....because it is special and more food than you could ever finish. For $9.95 it's wellllll worth it. This location has a take-out counter AND drive-thru in addition to the dine-in restaurant.

Tonight my Curse took the rare night off. My hubby and two adult kids went here and it has a diverse crowd for certain but you have a large selection of seating. Just mind the air-conditioner and overhead speedy fans as it was quite cold this Sunday as it was cold outside for a change. We should have moved tables to avoid the blustery fan, but that's on us.

It is cafeteria style service and you can order anything off the menu of course but you'll likely select the special as it is the deal of the day. You may start off selecting a bottle (yes bottle) of soda as pictured or select a dispensed unlimited version. The staff are very efficient, helpful and very nice. We didn't feel rushed while deciding which sides to choose. With the 3 dino-sized hearty roasted or smoked for hours ribs you can select two sides. In the picture you can see I selected the salad (which is huge) and a side of glazed cauliflower (my hand is in the pic to give you an idea of scale. I should have done with at Hickory; way smaller sizes and not all-you-can-eat at a rip off price).

Here they have baked mac and cheese which my son had two servings of, long green beans, wonderful glazed sweet potatoes and a bunch of other sides that you can interchange by just bringing your receipt back up and picking a different side than you got in the initial round. You can of course get more ribs, but the ribs are delicious (with a bit too much spice on them for me but the family loved the spice) and very filling. Our son was the only one to go back up and get another side. None of us finished our ribs, although I did give it the old college try. Our daughter was the odd duck out and had the pulled pork bun and was not impressed with the lack of anything else on it, but after learning about the huge condiment bar full of peppers, onions, sauces and the like she was happy. They have several homemade BBQ sauces which enhanced the already great flavor.

They also make and serve/sell dessert pies etc but we were too stuffed to even think about these.

The parking although busy and at times hard to navigate around the drive-thru long line of cars, it was easy to find a spot. Clearly a popular night to eat here. People came in small waves inside and were quickly and professionally taken care of so the line never got backed up. The bussing staff are quick and efficient and the tables were actually clean which is always something I check on before sitting down. The bathrooms are very clean.

This restaurant is a definite one to return to. And actually my hubby brought me here two years back for my birthday thinking it was a table service version like Pappadeaux's, and we were surprised by the tray and cafeteria style but more than pleased with the food.

This may or may not be relevant but we all experienced similar issues the next day with lower body activity (clever aren't I). But it was worth it and we will be back!!

Go and enjoy this awesome place, especially on a...

Let me just say this: after eating at Pappadeaux's BBQ, I have no idea why I keep doing this to myself. Maybe I secretly enjoy the punishment? Who knows. But when I got my food, I was pumped. The bag felt heavy—like “this is gonna be good” kind of heavy. I didn’t even bother looking inside because, hey, when your BBQ bag has weight, you’re expecting greatness, right? Wrong.

Turns out, that weight? It was just those god-awful baked beans I ordered. Why do I even order them? They’re always bad. It's like they cracked open a can of the cheapest beans they could find, threw them in a to-go bowl, and called it a day. Meanwhile, their potato salad? Actually, the only saving grace—probably the best thing on the menu. But the baked beans? Trash. I’ve tasted better beans at a college dorm potluck.

Now, let’s talk about the brisket and turkey. The brisket? I had enough to make a kid’s meal—a half sandwich, if that. And the turkey? Same deal, another kid’s meal-worthy portion. For the money I spent, I was expecting a feast. What I got was dry brisket, overcooked turkey with chewy ends, and a bill that had me questioning all my life choices.

Honestly, I’m done. Papa’s BBQ, Pappadeaux's BBQ, whatever you want to call it—it’s just not worth it anymore. The prices keep going up, and the portions keep shrinking like I’m on some BBQ diet plan. So, today, I’m BBQ-ing at home, and I’ll be enjoying my rack of ribs, sausage links, and burgers for a fraction of the cost. You can keep your overpriced, underwhelming BBQ. I’ll be over here with a full plate and a...

I rode the park and ride today to work. I’ stopped at Pappa’s barbecue on 1960 and Cali Drive. The drive-through light said they were Open. The first door that I went to was locked. I was Able to get into the restaurant from the side door. When I entered I observed At least seven people working, all of whom looked up at me but did not acknowledge me. Finally a Caucasian older gentleman asked me if I had been helped and I responded no. He came over to tell me that the restaurant was not open that I needed to go to the drive-through. I told him that I was not in a car. He called over a Hispanic female manager and they told me they could not help me if I was not in a car. I walked around to the drive-through and demanded that she take my order. The female manager said no and I told her that because they ignored me initially she was going to take my order or I would call the corporate office. She took my order but she had an attitude! It cost NOTHING to be nice and to provide great customer service. It cost NOTHING to provide great customer service with a smile. The service that I received today was not up to Pappa’s standards. I got off the bus specifically to stop here for breakfast because I missed the stop for Chick Fil A. How was I supposed to know that you could not walk in to place an order for breakfast?! Do better! You could learn a thing or two from the Downtown location. I ate there yesterday and received great service with a smile and the food was yummy! I asked for a brisket taco with potatoes and...