Railhead Smokehouse BBQ — Restaurant in Willow Park

So this rating should be like 3.5 but that is not an option. This place has potential, could be one of the best, but falls short in the effort department. First, the food... The chopped beef sandwich meat was seasoned to perfection and did not even need sauce. But the bun was soggy. The barbecue sauce is watery. They make fresh chopped fries, the good kind, but they had no seasoning on them. The hamburger was good, but nothing special, and I do not prefer the ciabatta bun they put it on. Second, the service...this is where the place falls really short. So when you first walk in, it looks like you are supposed to go through the line to order. Well you can actually go sit at a table, and a waitress will come serve you if you are staying to eat. They have a sign, but we missed it. The people that were taking orders from those in line were packing boxes up for big orders, and would not even acknowledge us in line until they got good and ready. When I went to sit at a table there were like 4 waitresses standing around doing nothing for 10 minutes. They could have been helping the two that were taking orders from those in line. Then there was the runner boy who was running the food from the kitchen to the tables...He was so rude! My husband stopped to grab me a lid for my cup, and the runner boy nearly climbed over him to get by. He did not say excuse me or anything. A couple minutes later he came back through, and nearly run him over again. My husband is tall and burly. I recommend that boy slow down and get some manners. Third, the atmosphere...it is a really nice place with a fantastic patio, but hard to enjoy it with the staff's frowning faces and flies swarming us. The best thing about the place was the chocolate cake! It was outstandingly delicious! I would go back just to get another piece. My husband and I thought maybe they were just having a bad day. Then he talked to several guys at work...they all felt the same way about it. The place needs heart, someone to instill love and care back into it. It's worth trying, but don't let your expectations...

UPDATE 2/9/19 I have never been so impressed. The management replied to my review below right away and assured me that things would change and they have! I am convinced that they had a serious Come To Jesus meeting.

I have been there four or five times since and customers are now "sir" and "ma'am.." You couldn't ask for more polite people. Also, good isn't sitting out any more. A am greatly appreciative and again a very loyal customer.

UPDATE 1/3/19 17:50 Gave them another chance tonight tonight. By myself and figured surely they won't make me such with literally nothing but a pound of chopped beef. Time and date are above on the off chance management cares. Went through the drive-thru. The only way the kids at the window could have been ruder would have been if he cussed me, then spit on me. Managed to get through the entire transaction without saying "sir," "please," or anything else remotely polite. Closest thing to a "thank you" I got was, Have a good one, brother." Oh well, I guess if you don't tell the guy who is old enough to be your grandpa to kiss your butt it counts, huh? Rude jerk!

WIfe and I have felt poorly the last two times we were there. Both times we had the Cowboy Bowl. The last time, I figured out why. Their food handling is enough to get a restaurant shut down. Beans, meat, etc., sitting out at room temperature. Also noticed that the plastic cutting boards were last cleaned during the Carter administration. I'm through with them. There is absolutely no excuse whatsoever for not maintaining temps. On top of that, the last time I was there the staff was absolutely rude. Not what they said, it was that the one guy who was working was on the phone for several minutes, and the people in the kitchen made it a point not to look at me. Not less than five people failed to say, "he will be with you in a minute, sir", or at least acknowledge that I was standing there. I am...

Cold food. All five of us got cold food. Cold brisket tacos, cold onion rings, cold loaded fries, cold salmon, cold brisket, etc. The first bite of brisket taco was all blubber with a bone chip. The salsa was terrible.

We got there and when a server finally came by we were told that someone left the freezer open and all the beer was hot and foamy. Interesting. Table ordered margaritas, and when it came time for a second round we were told the margarita machine had broken. Two for two, then came the cold food.

After the cold food, the server told us they fixed the beer but it may be skunky because it had gotten warm. Skunky beer, non-frozen margaritas, cold food. Then the band, pretty good band, singer was a bit all over the place talking about drinking and shots....OK, or you could just sing.

The food may have been good if it was warm, hard to know. My major question is, where was the adult manager? The door to freezer being left open and the margarita machine were probably user errors from the teenage staff. That's why a manager should be overseeing all the work. They were pretty busy, but not busy enough for the general chaos and cold food. I'd suggest if you come on a busy evening, prepare for cold food and very...