Butcher N' Barbeque — Restaurant in Tampa

A Culinary Catastrophe at Butcher N' Barbeque

If you’re searching for a dining experience that’s truly unforgettable — and not in a good way — look no further than Butcher N' Barbeque. I recently decided to treat myself to what I thought would be a feast of smoky, tender meats and savory sides, only to be served a plate of pure disappointment that could rival a trip to the DMV.

Let’s start with the main attraction: the food. When I walked in, I was greeted by a smell that can only be described as a blend of charred disappointment and a hint of regret. I decided to order the "house special" brisket, which I assumed meant it would be a brisket straight from heaven. Instead, it arrived looking like it had a rough night out, possibly mingling with some questionable roadkill. The texture was so tough that even my fork seemed to hesitate before diving in.

I took my first bite, and my taste buds immediately staged a protest. The flavor? Imagine a bland rubber substitute seasoned with a sprinkle of despair. I wasn’t sure if it was beef or some kind of alien protein, but it was certainly not worth the price of admission. If I wanted something that tasted like it had been sitting out in the sun for a week, I would have simply gone to the nearest park and asked a pigeon to share its lunch with me.

Now, about those pork ribs — they looked like they just came out of a microwave. I could hardly believe my eyes. They were so unappealing that I was genuinely concerned if I had stumbled into a food justice system where nobody ever truly won. They were limp, pale, and may have previously suffered the fate of being an afterthought. I half expected them to ask for a redo.

As for the sides, I decided to put some faith in the creamy macaroni and cheese, the one bright spot in this sea of culinary disaster. I thought, “Finally, something that can redeem this meal!” However, when it arrived, it was cold, like it had just come from a refrigerator in the Arctic. Cold macaroni and cheese is a crime against nature. I felt my hope dwindling faster than the temperature of my food.

And let’s not forget the coleslaw! I was served a mere ounce of it, as if they were trying to ration it like they discovered a goldmine of rare and precious weed rather than a cabbage-based side dish. A single ounce! I could practically see the chef guarding the coleslaw stash like it was a state secret. It was a sad little dollop of crunch that left me feeling cheated and stiffed on one of the basic BBQ staples.

Now, onto the service — if you can even call it that. I’ve seen livelier expressions on a taxidermy project. The staff at Butcher N' Barbeque seemed like they had just walked off the set of a horror film about a fast-food restaurant gone wrong. When I asked my server what she recommended, she stared at me blankly, as if I had asked her to solve a complex mathematical equation. She eventually mumbled something about the ribs, but I wouldn’t trust her judgment if she claimed it was sunny outside.

The atmosphere didn’t help, either. The lighting in the restaurant felt like a funeral home, and the décor was an odd mix of kitschy country and “why is this here?” I couldn’t tell if the employees were mad at the world or just mad at the fact they had to deal with plates of renegade meat all day. I’m pretty sure I witnessed a collective sigh when the takeout order came through — it was like they were all silently contemplating their life choices.

In conclusion, if you’re looking for a spot where both the food and the customer service leave a lot to be desired — and by “a lot,” I mean an entire universe away from satisfaction — then Butcher N' Barbeque is your place. However, if you’d prefer to actually enjoy what you eat (and not feel like you’re being slowly crushed under the weight of culinary despair), I recommend steering clear. I left the restaurant feeling like I had experienced a food horror show, and the only thing worse than the meal itself was the fact that I paid for it.

Consider...

UPDATE: After much back and forth, and help from the management of this restaurant, we did finally receive reimbursement for the unfulfilled order. This turned out to be a big issue with Door Dash, NOT Butcher n Barbecue. BnB actually was very sympathetic and worked to help resolve the issue. I'd say everything you read below can be attributed to DoorDash ripping us off. Do not order from this restaurant! We were looking to place a catering order with B&B. After trying multiple times to call (their phone number isn't answered, it only tells you to place the order online), we placed the order online. At the time of pickup, they said they were unable to fulfill the order, and had no way of contacting me. Needless to say, We were left in the lurch, having to scramble to provide meals for 20 people in less than an hour! Incredibly unprofessional, poorly managed, and built around a system that gives you no way to be contacted or get in contact with the restaurant!

Here's an idea-answer your phone!

I looked online today, and they have CHARGED my card for the order! $220+ of imaginary food and headaches. No thank you.

Service here ranges from unprofessional, to unethical, to fraudulent....

Not the best experience. Put order in and meandered around for a bit. Finally went back, after 30 minutes, asking for an ETA on my order. They were like, oh did you have the nachos. Hmm. Asked if the food had just been sitting under the heat lamp. One employee asked "didn't you get a text to get it" while another promptly asked if I wanted a remake. (Btw, I did not get a text. The girl doing the remake looked and said whoever took my order didn't put my number in right. She also seemed to have left for the day or a break. O was literally at the couch nearest the place, so seems like she could have said something). My remake ended up having the wrong meat, but the young lady who had offered the remake gave me some of the correct meat on the side. Got outside and started eating, realized it did not have the Cowboy Candy, but at that point my toddler was so hungry I didn't bother going back inside. The nachos were ok tasting. Found myself wondering where the queso was, and found it all pooled at the bottom, so didn't have many chips left to have actually dip into it. Would have given two stars except the young lady who offered the remake seemed to really be trying. Will go with one of the other food...