Wildflower Saloon — Restaurant in St. Louis

I really wish I could rate it higher. But when both the food and wait times are lacking, something's got to give.

I was excited to try my first St. Louis barbecue and was just a little hungry--I didn't want a huge meal with sides and a basket of bread. So their menu looked perfect to me--two different varieties of mini sliders and even individual ribs for $3. I sat on the patio and ordered the brisket sliders and one rib. I was asked if I wanted the spicy or sweet barbecue sauce on the side, and opted for spicy.

The food came out rather quickly. It was the first time in my life I had tasted tough brisket. What a disappointment. Brisket should be fatty, salty, soft to chew. This was stringy and dry. I dipped it in the sauce, which was good, but couldn't save the meat. I did love the garlic-toasted bun. I hoped the rib might be better, since the menu had called it "falling off the bone." Unfortunately, GNAWING off the bone was the best I could do. That piece of meat wasn't worth $3.

My server was at first very friendly and attentive, but when they checked on me at the end of my meal, I said I'd like the check as soon as they were able. Fifteen minutes later the check was brought, and ten minutes after that my card was returned. I actually took the receipt with the tip inside because I hadn't seen my server in ages and needed to catch a bus (I'd already missed one).

I used their restroom while I was inside. They are very spacious and clean.

I wanted to return on a hungrier day and try their pork steak, but I'm not sure I want to spend $20 if the meat will be the same quality this was. In a city known for its BBQ, they're going to have...

Decided to try the BBQ Saloon for dinner. After seeing the place packed all the time I thought it must be good. It was slow for a Monday night which does not bother me, but the drink options are scarce if you aren't a whiskey drinker.

We ordered the pulled pork nachos as a starter and were very regretful of that decision once it was brought to the table. It was tortilla chips, melted cheese, and pulled pork you can buy at the grocery store to be reheated at home......not only did it taste bad, it looked disgusting. They advertise it as nachos with the works, but there was nothing else on them.

I ordered the pulled pork sandwich before seeing the nachos, and was necous for it to be brought out. I also ordered green beans and Cole slaw. The pulled pork I got was completely different from what came on the nachos. It was bland and ok. My green beans were undercooked and bad, and the Cole slaw is bland. Overall, wasn't impressed with my choice.

My boyfriend ordered the ribs, which where dry and bland as well. He had Mac n cheese and fries as a side. Mac n cheese was good and the fries were Wendy's quality. He wasn't impressed either.

Overall, neither of us finished our dinner or took home the left over. Service was slow for us being the only ones there ordering food. My boyfriend loves whiskey so the only reason we will be going back is for him to drink. I'd go somewhere...

The BBQ is very good, although the flavor is subtle. The sauces are quite good, particularly the SR-71, which is spicy without being overly aggressive. The Carolina sauce is surprisingly good. If they bottled it and sold it in South Carolina, people would buy it. I spend a lot of time in South Carolina, so this is not idle praise. The sides almost overshadow the the ribs. The cornbread is a nice balance of sweet/savory, fluffy/chewy. The cole slaw is really amazing. Purists will be shocked, but there is a lot of creativity in this recipe that makes it truly a delicious surprise.

The whiskey selection is truly heroic. There are lots of themed samplers, which is nice, but a suggestion - include a selection of whiskeys chosen by the staff. It can be both a small incentive for the bar staff as well as a guide for people who aren't whiskey aficionados to find out what the pros like.

My experience with the staff was very good, although during my time eating, I heard of two cases of people who felt they were not getting prompt enough service. In my case, Kaitlyn was great, and I have no complaints.

St. Louis is one of the BBQ capitals of the US, and to be recognized as one of the better places to have BBQ in St. Louis is no small feat. Just tweak the consistency of service, and you'll become a BBQ and...