Update: went back two more times in different situations. Â Once, on a Saturday night during the dinner rush, and the second on a slow evening and sat at the bar.
I stand by my earlier review in that The Pub's barbecue offerings are still top-quality. Â While the menu selection isn't extensive, what they DO have is done right. Â The sauces are still the biggest draw. Â I'm a fan of the House, with the Bourbon a very close second. Â My wife prefers the Bourbon without regret. Â The Spicy doesn't burn your face off, which is nice -- there's something to be said for being able to incorporate a hint of heat while retaining that always elusive concept called "flavor" in this psychopathic quest to derive the "hottest sauce EVAR!!!!"
The crowd does tend to be what one might expect along this stretch of Hall Rd.: late-20s through 40s, affluent (or at least attempting to look like it), and somewhat loud.
Admittedly, the price of the beer is a bit high in comparison to other nearby establishments (approximately $7 for a 20 oz. glass of Michigan micros). Â If I was drinking WITH my meal, it wouldn't be a big thing, but I don't think I'll be returning if my intention was to JUST sit at the bar and drink without ordering a meal. Â I can do that elsewhere and spend less for the same product.
1. Kids Mac and Cheese was awful. Almost had a curdled texture to it!
After reading reviews, obviously others feel the same way.
2. Service: Needs a lot of work!
3. Manager is the type that couldn't handle any constructive criticism.
4. Everything except the Mac and Cheese was good!
This place will not make it IF the complaints are not addressed. It's unfortunate.
It does have potential....
No restaurant will ever survive in this building. I think it's cursed. Years ago you had Beefcarvers, which was there forever. And you can still tell from the inside it was a Beefcarvers! Then Boneyard, Gus OConners and now The Pub. All mediocre places. We went to The Pub lastnight. Figured, ok let's give another restaurant here a chance. Big mistake! Food is VERY average. Wasn't terrible, but was by no means great. Service was horrible. They weren't busy at all. The waitress took our order verbally (2 of us) the had to come back and ask us again and write it down because she forgot! It took forever to get the bill, we thought she went home. Anyway, we won't be back. Hope The Pub makes it, but it won't like this.
Review Source:With all the BBQ places that have opened in the past few years one would think you know you have stiff competition. I guess the folks behind The Pub don't care.
The two stars is for the the beer list and decor. Decent taps with the usual suspects and Michigan craft. Acceptably priced as well. The Pub had a real old school sports bar feel which I'm cool with. Kinda like a mix of Bad Brad's and Shores Inn.
The food is just not up to snuff. The brisket I got was just grey. No smoke ring, no spices, no bark, nothing. It was like it was boiled. It was served a perfect luke warm as well! My favorite temperature for food. The pulled pork was mediocre at best. The kicker to me was charging me $2 to upgrade my side to mac 'n cheese. Ok, I'll bite but this stuff better be on par with Slows or my own homemade version. FAIL. It was terrible. It was actually macaroni noodles and some weird cheese crumbly "sauce". It reminded me of a twice microwaved version of Slows. The stuff in a blue box is actually better than this.
Stick with Cass Bar or better yet to to Bad Brad's. You'll enjoy your meal a whole lot more.
Sorry Pub BBQ, but you don't stand a chance at surviving.
The pulled pork was good, but not great. My dinner companions ordered the brisket and were both very disappointed. Decent green beans and garlic mash potatoes. The mac and cheese was bland and cost $2 extra as a side. Fail.
Within a couple of miles you have much better BBQ and at a much lower cost. Bad Brads and Cass Bar are superior in every aspect.
My husband brought me a carry out. I hated it, and I love BBQ. Chicken tasted old. No smokey flavor at all. Brisket was dry and flavorless. Cole slaw tasted like it came out of a bag, I doubt they make it there. Way too creamy and run-of-the-mill. The sauces all tasted the same. Like smokey, clove jelly. Gross. No tangy option. This resturant is no where near the quality of Bad Brads, Slow's, or even the tiny Smokin BarBQ on Gratiot or probably even Famous Dave's. I was mad at my meal. I don't think that has ever happened before.
Do yourself a favor and go to a real BBQ joint, you will leave here disappointed.
Service: Great, fast and professional.
Atmosphere: A little confused. Odd mix of sportsbar/BBQ joint. The music in the dining room was way too loud. Not entirely sure who they're trying to attract.
Menu/Food - Traditional BBQ favorites. Not the best I've ever had, but still respectable. Sandwiches are good, and the portions are generous.
Conclusion - This place is ok. Connoisseurs of BBQ probably won't be too impressed, but it's a decent option for dining if you can't decide between brisket or burgers. I'd eat there again, but wouldn't go out of my way.
I don't understand the negative reviews I'm reading here. Â I had a great experience! Â I get so annoyed with bbq places in this area that serve you meat with a dry rub that tastes like nothing, and the meat is tough and dry. Â At this place, the dry rub actually left my ribs and pulled pork with flavor. Â No sauce needed! And all the meat was really moist. Â I enjoyed the garlic mashed potatoes, but I wasn't a huge fan of the cornbread. Â Service was wonderful! Pub is definitely one of my new favorite bbq places.
Review Source:Came here a second time to try it out when it was up and running; unfortunately I have to say I was disappointed. The service was slow and our food took forever because we were told they were backed up in the kitchen. Which didn't make sense because the place was maybe half filled. Then menu does look like it  has some great offerings but what I ordered didn't match what I received. I order pulled chicken but received a de-boned half chicken. Pulled chicken is supposed to be shredded. You could also tell that the food was not prepared at the same time, because some things on my plate were hot and others were cold to warm. The beer selection is good and the setup would be great to watch games.
I would really hate to see this place go. It has some great potential but they need to fix the little things like ensuring an attentive waitstaff and the kitchen situation.
I have to imagine that the majority of the reviews for The Pub are from people who know someone who works at this restaurant and is trying to be nice. Â We were hopeful based on the reviews and we were disappointed. Â
The Pros: the baked beans were very good, the smoked kielbasa was good, my boyfriend thought the cornbread was ok, and he like the garlic mashed potatoes and gravy.
The Cons: the pulled pork was luke warm at best and cold before I could finish, the ribs were tough, the BBQ sauces are runny, the green beans had no flavor, and they charge an additional $1.50 if you want mac and cheese as a side.
I would recommend this place if you don't really know what good BBQ/smoked food tastes like or if you are not very picky.
As a BBQ purist/fanatic, I was terribly excited to see the 'Opening Soon' sign on "The Pub BBQ on Hall Road" change to "Now Open".
I immediately pulled in this past Saturday afternoon as I hadn't eaten all day and I had a serious jonesin' for smoked animal bits.
I sat at the bar, as is my MO and was greeted by a friendly bartender. Â
They have a decent selection of beer, including quite a few Michigan craft brews, which is always nice to see; I chose a local nut brown.
The menu has a good variety; large enough for people to find something they like but small enough to manage quality. Â Interestingly enough, they offer stone-fired pizza, which greatly intruigued me. Â I'm pretty sure its the first time I've been in a restaurant that features "BBQ" in their name that also serves pizza.
However, I always know what I want when I crave BBQ; pulled pork and baby back ribs, so the pie will have to wait for the next visit.
I ordered the half-rack ribs with an add-on side of the pork shoulder.
Choice of two sides are included; at the urging of my bartender I selected the mac and cheese along with green beans.
My food was delivered within seven minutes, mostly due to the mac and cheese, which had a nicely-browned crust of bread crumbs.
The pork was beautifully moist with a light smoke flavor (they smoke over hickory).
The ribs had good color and it was evident they don't heavily crust the racks in their seasoning blend. Â They were relatively tender (see below) with a good amount of smoke and a subtle sweetness.
My only disappointment regarding the ribs: Â They need to either up their smoking temperature or leave the ribs in for another 20 minutes. Â Good ribs are tender and easily separated individually from the rack without being 'fall off the bone' (which usually indicates a braised rib). Â These were a little chewy closer to the chine (the bottom of the rack). Â Easily corrected.
The Pub features four different house-made sauces" sweet, sassy, spicy and vinegar. Â All are variations on a theme, but the spicy and vinegar fit the bill for me. Â Do yourself a favor and sample your meats before you drench them in sauce.
The green beans were decent, with good texture, and obviously not canned.
The mac and cheese was a revelation. Â I approach all m&c with suspicion, as most are dense, dry carb belly bombs. Â These were moist, with proper texture and a most intriguing seasoning combination. Tasty, tasty tasty.
Pricing is on-par with comparable bbq joints; authentic 'Q isn't cheap.
The restaurant's interior was nicely done.
Overall, I was impressed. Â Having only been open a week they executed on a high level.
It's obvious they have someone in the kitchen with a serious passion of BBQ, and I'm absolutely 'chuffed to have them in the neighborhood. Â Can't wait to try them again.
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