The Prime Smokehouse

Reviews 3

JU

Juakeia Jones

I am new to the area and heard great things about this place. We booked a reservation for 26 people 2 weeks in advance for a surprise party for my uncles 60th birthday. We arrived ahead of schedule secured our spot and sat down. The place is beautiful inside I was so excited as this was my 1st time ever eating there. There were only 3 other tables with guest. They seated us in 2 sections close together. We ordered a few drinks, appetizers and main course. The other section did the same.About 30 minutes later 1 section of our party received cornbread and food. Cool...we thought our section was next. We fully understood that it may take a little longer to get food... We were enjoying each other and celebrate my uncle. We did notice however that tables around us...I mean basically every table was full now...all had food. Every single table from the bar to the floor had their food except us. By this time the part of our party that had received food were finished eating and so we asked over and over about the rest of the food. I was directed to the owner. She basically told me that she does not take large parties and that she personally directs the kitchen on which orders to send out. She went on to say that she told them not to send our orders out because it was not fair that other guest would have to wait. I asked her to repeat what she said because I could not believe that a restaurant owner would say it even if it was true. Sadly, she repeated it and this time waved her hand and brushed me off saying that my food would be out, as she walked away to help other customers. I was shocked. We continued to wait 30 more minutes. We had young children with us and after waiting over an hour to eat they were pretty hungry. A part of our party suggested we leave as the children were really hungry. This gentleman comes from the back and says that he heard that somebody doesnt want their food. I told him our situation and that my children were very hungry, after waiting over an hour. He went on to tell me that as a chef he could not push out 30 plates at 1 time. I looked around at all of the happy people eating and have fun with their parties as the place was now packed and told him that hes pushed out more than 30 plates since Id been there. He scoffed at me and said this is why he doesnt do large parties. Wair What??? We made the reservation 2 weeks prior and he never mentioned that. We could have gone somewhere that would have appreciated us being there, which he did not because he told me to get up and GO! Those were his exact words when he began to try to tell me how the restaurant business is and I explained to him that I owned a restaurant before moving here. I was seated and he is very big and tall and He stood over me raising his voice asking me what is it that I want him to do. At this point, I felt very uncomfortable and felt that we needed to do just that. Go. This man was towering over me as my children sat beside me. He then stomped off, kicked the kitchen door and yelled cancel the order! Which I have a suspicion that was what he wanted anyway. I will never, ever come back to this place. Ever. If you want great brisket AND great service go to Twitch around the corner...which is what we should have done in the 1st place. Our waitress, by the way, was excellent. She apologized over and over. But it wasnt her place to apologize. Apparently the 2 people that I spoke to were the owners and the very least an apology would have been nice. However it appears that we are not welcomed to this establishment and that is just fine with me. I have no words for how we were treated and if I hadnt been there I would have never believed that this place would act this way. It probably does not even matter to them or anyone else, but I know that I have never felt so disrespected and my children disregarded in my entire life. Fool me once...shame on me. Never again. Go to Twitch around the corner. Their brisket and pineapple casserole are excellent.

AL

Aleah Evans

This place was recommended to us, and looking through the reviews it seemed like something we had to checkout ASAP! I honestly dont understand what keeps people coming back, maybe the jazz Idk, because it for sure aint the food. One thing I noticed since they specialize in BBQ, why are there no smokers around back, you should be able to smell that delicious Smokey flavor of meat cooking either outside or most definitely inside! Clearly they put a lot of money into their bar area which takes up the whole wall with no drink menu, but they need to get another bartender quickly. The place was half full why does it take 30 min to get the wrong beer and a martini. The Lemon Drop Martini was horrendous, not exaggerating, it looked like water in a glass and tasted like water and vodka. The brisket was the only semi decent meat it was tender could have been more flavorful. The greens and Mac n cheese were good except the little portions on the plate. The half chicken was extremely dry, Chicken cooked on the bone should be moist and tender. The chicken was reheated period. There were a few reviews I read where someone said the meat tastes like liquid smoke and I was like this person doesnt know what theyre talking about. They were absolutely right, the ribs taste like some cheap wood flavor, its like an overpowering taste of liquid smoke, like they cooked the ribs and reheated them to make it seem fresh. I couldnt finish, I got nauseous. Somebody said the cheesecake was the best theyve ever tasted which is why I got it, clearly you cant mess up dessert. The chocolate cake was dry, and the cheesecake isnt homemade, Im a baker, you know what pre sliced looks and tastes like!! Sara Lee would have been an upgrade, I left it on the table. I have no ill will towards this place, waitress wasnt rude, this is just my honest opinion. I had better BBQ at the 4th of July festival on Fayetteville St. But what stood out to us the most, was seeing the owners sitting at the bar as we were leaving out. Not once did I see them walk around to say hello, introduce themselves, maybe ask hows it going. No they didnt care just a weak thanks for coming! There are far better places.

SH

Sharon Cooper

The Prime Smokehouses business practices for ensuring all customers reservations are honored leave much to be desired for their Mothers Day Buffet. Could it be that the restaurant overbooked reservations and then selected (politically) as to which reservation would be honored for seating? Interesting enough I made reservations (in person) over a month ago for the Mothers Day Buffet. I made two subsequent visits to the restaurant to follow-up with the reservation. The staff assured me that my family would be seated and that they would take care of us. Upon arrival, my family was ignored. The owner and staff was adament in telling me and my relatives (including other customers who made reservations) that I did not have a reservation. Adding my name (along with other customers) to a list was a complete joke. They had no intentions of seating our group. Upon leaving, I politely informed the owner there is a serious credibility issue as to how they accommodate reservations, and that my trust in doing with this restaurant has been violated. There is no need for me to engage with this type of business - ever. Thank goodness for having a sound alternative! I called The Main Course at Belmont (open to the public) and spoke to the Owner/General Manager to see if the staff could accommodate our group without a reservation. He asked me to wait and in a couple of minutes responded with "Yes." The Main Course at Belmont staff graciously welcomed us upon our arrival and provided exemplary service. They even presented the women with a rose. The menu was served as an all you can eat family style, which made it nice so that the food was brought to the table. Kudos to Chef Buck! The food was absolutely delicious! Everyone enjoyed the food and atmosphere, which made our dinner a positive experience. The Prime Smokehouse can take lessons on customer care from The Main Course at Belmont and On The Square. They Get It Right The First Time!

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