Po-Boy's Bar-B-Q — Restaurant in Washington

Having relocated from the South, my standards for barbecue are admittedly high. When a craving for authentic BBQ hit, and the "Most Reviewed" item was the BBQ Brisket Sandwich, I knew I had to put it to the test.

Ambiance & Service (Quick Take): The establishment definitely leans into a comfortable, unpretentious dive bar aesthetic, yet maintains a clear restaurant functionality. It fosters a welcoming "come as you are" vibe. Opting for a quick "To Go" order, I was met with remarkably friendly service. The cashier's spot-on guess about my impending yard work provided a genuine moment of connection and a good laugh. My order was prepared swiftly, and I was on my way in no time. I intend to return for a full sit-down experience with other menu items to provide a more comprehensive service review.

The Main Event: BBQ Brisket Sandwich: This is where the real scrutiny begins. I was pleasantly surprised by the generous portion size relative to the price. The very first bite delivered a prominent, satisfying smokiness that permeated the brisket. However, the true standout was the exceptional tenderness of the meat. It was genuinely melt-in-your-mouth, practically falling apart with the slightest pressure. Honestly, the sandwich alone constitutes a substantial meal, negating the immediate need for sides. The brisket, seasoned with a noticeable smoky character, was served "dry," allowing the accompanying sauce to take center stage. While applied somewhat sparingly, the barbecue sauce boasted a delightful sweet profile balanced by a subtle, yet noticeable tang. The bun, while a classic hamburger bun, was undeniably soft and fresh. And let's be honest, there's a reason classic hamburger buns are a staple – their reliable texture and neutral flavor provide an excellent foundation, allowing the robust flavors of the brisket and sauce to truly shine.

Constructive Feedback for an Even Better Experience: As a Southern transplant navigating the Pacific Northwest BBQ scene, I have a couple of suggestions that I believe would elevate this sandwich even further for discerning palates like mine. Firstly, offering a small side of the signature BBQ sauce for dipping or additional application would be greatly appreciated. This would allow diners to customize the sauciness to their preference. Secondly, I strongly believe that introducing a "premium" version of this sandwich served on sweet Hawaiian bread buns would be a game-changer. The inherent sweetness of the Hawaiian bread would create a beautiful counterpoint to the smoky, savory brisket, resulting in a flavor combination that would be truly addictive and undoubtedly drive repeat business.

Overall Impression: This BBQ Brisket Sandwich did not disappoint. The remarkable tenderness of the brisket, the well-balanced flavor combination, and the satisfying serving size are the key elements that make this a noteworthy offering. I'm already planning my return visit to explore the rest...

I haven’t been to Po Boys in many years and the last time I ate there I grabbed my order and headed home with it. Today my fiancé and I were driving by and decided to eat there because he had never had it. We walked in and the lady working seemed annoyed that we were there. We looked at the menu and went up to the counter to order. She was very unpleasant and didn’t seem at all interested in giving us any kind of service. We ordered 2 of the southern specials and 2 sweet teas. She complained to us that the owner was too cheap to upgrade the till and that it runs off of dial up internet. She complained about having to complete door dash orders stating she “hates” it. The card reader wouldn’t process our card she claimed due to the the dial up internet. We asked if she could break $100 bill since the machine wouldn’t work. She was hesitant to even check for us. We almost left and just got something else somewhere that would accept our money. She finally took the bill and gave us the change and handed me our cups and said “you get the ice then I’ll get the tea.” So I went and got the ice and she filled our cups. We took a seat as we wanted to dine in. She looked up and was upset that we were dining in because she already started boxing some of our food. We told her to just leave it in the to go box and we will eat from those. The food itself was decent. Was very strange that all of our meats were mixed together and drowned in so much BBQ that it was overpowering.When she brought our food she told us just leave your trash on the table and walked away. The TV was super loud and it was hard to hear anything but that. She kept sighing every time a door dash order came in. She didn’t thank us at all or anything for dining with them. Just crummy service. We...

We've been going here for a few years now. The food has always been amazing, which is why we keep going. I love their beef ribs, can't find them anywhere else! They are juicy, meaty and come right off the bone. The pork ribs melt off the bone too. I don't care too much for their sides, so I just order the meat, but this time I ordered baked beans and potato salad, 12 oz. The only constructive feedback I have is from the last visit. We called in our order for my husband to pick up. The person that answered the phone was not professional or friendly. She didn't even answer the phone announcing the name of the establishment. After he got home with the food, it didn't look like the right size sides. So I called back to confirm the sizes that we ordered. Again, the person that answered the phone seemed very rude and condescending. I confirmed the sizes and she asked me if I looked under the rim of the containers to see the size. I let her know that I didn't because I didn't know the size was there. I thanked her for letting me know and that I would look and if they aren't 12 ozbthat Inwould call her back. She hung up the phone without even saying goodbye. Smh. Turns out the containers did say 12 Oz though. For me, I'm all about customer service, regardless of how good the product is. This last experience is why I will not be going back to Po Boys BBQ for a very long time, If at all. My suggestion is to please ensure your staff are friendly and welcoming over the phone and in person. I want a personal and professional experience where I choose to spend my $. It's the customer's choice to use your establishment and you don't want to scare them away, like...