Bodacious BBQ — Restaurant in Tyler

I've been a server for nearly a decade and have worked in retail as a manager for the past ten years as well. I'm a big fan of customer service and convenience, so take this review for what it is, coming from that perspective.

I walked into the really neat and old-timey cabin interior, Bodacious BBQ, to blank stares and no greetings. Upon approaching the register, I looked above to the menu that is posted on an old fashioned letterboard -which was not laid out in an easily discernible fashion for a new customer- and had three young employees within arms distance just standing there staring at me. The cashier didn't bother to greet me either, but instead shot me a hollow, "What can I get for you?" in a Keanu Reeves, circa "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure" voice. I told him that I just wanted to look over the menu for a sec and he never once offered assistance otherwise.

As I mulled it over for a minute, I decided on the 'SPECIAL #1: sandwich, veg 2.' When I asked him what my choices were for the "veg 2", he looked at me as if I were speaking in tongues. I read it again slowly, directly off the menu, and pointed to it as he turned around and looked toward outer space. At this point, the chopper hollered out at me, "BEANS, SLAW, POTATO SALAD." I thanked him bluntly and ordered the potato salad and the beans.

Anyway... The "Special #1" ended up costing me $10.81 for a hearty amount of chopped pork on two butter-grilled buns, served with a small scoop of each side, despite the fact that we had to go back and forth three times about the price of $16+ which he had originally tried to charge me. He seemed reluctant to even bother charging me the right price, and spoke down to me sarcastically once he corrected it, "There, it's $10.81." 

The moment I realized the combo didn't include a drink, I ordered one, as well as two slices of cheddar cheese to compliment the meal at an additional cost of $4.21 on a second transaction. Sodas are plastic bottles with no free refills, and tea was all you can drink. I received my order on a plastic tray with disposable plates and no flatware, with a plastic bottle of BBQ sauce. Luckily, on my way back to the table where we were sitting, a cold bar was placed that had pickles and onions in ice bins, or else I'd have never known of them. I had to come back for the utensils, and was looked at as though I were an imbecile as I walked around trying to find them on my own. Eventually I asked and they pointed me in the right direction.

Overall, the sandwich was delicious, the beans were bland, the potato salad was tough, though seasoned well, the BBQ sauce was extremely light and runny for my taste, and the sweet tea was good. The atmosphere was just what I'd like an old fashioned BBQ joint to look like, and the service was absolutely deplorable.

All in all, there are several other places in town that will not only provide you a terrific quality and better quantity of BBQ for that price, with a much broader selection, but also a far better dining experience. I felt like I was completely unwelcome the entire time I was there, until the moment I left without so much as a "Thank you! Come again!" If I wanted to spend $15 on a plain sandwich with a couple shoddy sides and a drink... well, I wouldn't, and I wish I never had. Definitely will not be returning to Bodacious BBQ.

Two Stars only because that meat was too good to deny....

Today was my first, and last time, to visit this restaurant. I had a hankering for some good BBQ. This just wasn't it. The young man who waited on me was very nice, and extremely helpful. I ordered a combination plate so that I could sample several items. It came with 2 sides and bread. If you like canned ranch style beans, then you'll like their beans. They were ok, just too hot to eat in that little styrofoam cup. They wouldn't cool down enough to eat! The potato salad was, frankly... disgusting. It tasted like straight up mayonnaise! I took a few bites to see if maybe it just wasn't mixed well. Nope...just mayo flavored potatoes. I'm pretty picky about my potato salad. I like it not to be purely mayo or purely mustard. You need a mixture of the 2, and some relish...and the very least. Now, unfortunately, I'm not a fan of watery BBQ sauce. IIlike my sauce to stick to the meat. They serve it warm in a squeeze bottle...that you don't have to squeeze. It just shoots out! It tasted ok but, not my taste. As for the meat, the small link was ok... nothing to get excited about but, it was fine. The brisket was a little smokey for me. I like to taste the meat, not just smoke. But, it wasn't too bad. The ribs were very small but, also ok. Everything pretty much tasted the same. That was a little dissapointing. The portion was very small compared to any other BBQ restaurant I have ever been to, especially for $20! Atmosphere was ok but, they could use a little bit better ventilation for the smoke. I'm sure a lot of people like this place, it just...

The brisket was juicy, but my husband was disappointed it did have a lot of smoke flavor this time. It was much juicier than we are used to from the smoker. Seasoned just right. Stuffed jalapenos for $1.25 each were a complete disappointment. I was expecting bacon wrapped, smoked jalapenos like any good bbq joint would have, but instead we received a small half a cold, canned tasting pepper topped with a dab of pimento cheese; we did not like those. Inside my one to-go plastic sack were my 5 sandwiches falling under the 2 lb heavy container of brisket, getting squished, and tiny Serran wrapped cold jalapeño’s literally thrown in, also getting squished. It’s a wonder the sauce containers didn’t spill being topsy turvy and upside down in the jumble in the bottom of a flimsy sack. For $78, I would hope greater consideration would be taken in bagging their food instead of throwing it together like that. We have been frequenting Bodacious for over two decades and usually are completely satisfied. It is much better...