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Robert Lauriston
Jan 13, 2013 05:35 PM
I went back today to see if things had improved under the new owner.
Spareribs were not bad, little bit dry but decent flavor, not as smoky as I like them, spicy sauce was not very spicy but had a nice tang. They were slathered with sauce even though I said on the side. Small order ($14) was six medium to large ribs, good helping, came with pretty good slaw and a slice of white bread.
Brisket slider ($4 on the happy hour menu), similar story, little bit dry, pretty good flavor, not as smoky as I prefer. Came with some BBQ potato chips.
Brussels sprouts with butternut squash ($8) were nice though I'd have liked them roasted more (as they used to). Needed salt. Big serving.
Pork and beans ($8, big serving) was pretty good but I couldn't detect any smoky flavor, was improved by adding some of the BBQ sauce.
BBQ potato chips with blue cheese dip ($4 HH menu) were solid, big helping.
The food was definitely better than last time I was there. For spareribs and/or brisket I'd get takeout from Smoke, but T-Rex is decent if you want sitdown BBQ with drinks, and the happy hour is a great value.
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re: Robert Lauriston
This is still rather subdued "praise".
Guess I'll have to wait till I'm back in Austin in about 10 days...plan to hit Snow's BBQ in Lexington, maybe Franklin's in Austin, J. Mueller's new place in Austin...I used to live about 1 mile from Mueller's (the original) in Taylor.Sorry, I"m spoiled! But might try Smoke just for a grin...!!! Not too hopeful, though! I was interested in T-Rex's burger...thumbs still down???
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re: sambamaster
JonDough
Feb 26, 2013 12:05 PM
Have you tried BSide? My boss says that the brisket is better than anything she has had in Texas - she doesn't tell her in-laws in Texas that though ;). Personally, I find it a little expensive but it is probably one of the better BBQ places in the Bay Area.
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re: Robert Lauriston
My husband and I used to be huge fans of T-Rex (he loved the long-cut beef short rib and we both loved the tangy, vinegar-based cole slaw). However, they've been going downhill, both in terms of food and service, for a long time in my opinion. Our most recent visit was about 6 mos. ago, and we pretty much said that there was no reason to go back at that point. Based on your review here, I'd say that's still the case. On that note, have you tried B-Side BBQ on San Pablo? Went there once a few weeks ago and were surprisingly impressed. Will have to try it a couple more times to get a good gauge on things, but for now, its much better than T-Rex!
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re: chemchef
Robert Lauriston
Feb 26, 2013 08:56 AM
I found the food consistent for a long time until it went downhill quickly in 2011. It seemed fairly deliberate, like the chef was fixing things that weren't broken.
Service has never again been close to as bad as it was when they first opened.
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Robert Lauriston
Dec 14, 2011 03:59 PM
Tried the spareribs last night. They were nothing like what they used to serve, or like what I think of as barbecue. Tasted like they'd been roasted in a hot oven, no detectable smokiness. Judging them as roast pork, I'd say, nice dry rub, good pork flavor, but that's not the right cut to cook that way.
BBQ orders come with the blue cheese potato salad I knew from my last visit I didn't like or want but no substitutions.
The formerly great vegetable sides were gone, that section's now dominated by a bunch of starchy, greasy stuff. I lamented about that to the server and she said they serve what's in season. Uh, the old cauliflower salad would be in season now, and the grilled asparagus they did have is not.
I might go back for the happy hour, but I need to find a new place for spareribs in the East Bay.
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Robert Lauriston
Nov 5, 2011 06:36 PM
Went for brunch today.
I tried the Arthur Bryant-inspired burnt ends, which I've read should be fatty and have crunchy bark, but these just seemed like dry chunks of lean brisket. Tasty sauce. Would not order again.
Burnt ends came with the potato salad, which I always liked and looked the same, but had blue cheese in it, which to my taste clashed badly with the barbecue sauce. Would not order again.
Had a couple of bites of the Carolina pulled pork sandwich. Seemed leaner and dryer than the old version. The highly herbed mustard sauce was delicious but overpowering. OK but would not order again.
The sandwich came with cole slaw that was quite good, very traditional with a slight sweetness (not too much) but with hot pepper. House-made BBQ potato chips seemed the same.
Spareribs and occasionally brisket have always been the main draws for me, I'll have to go back to try the new versions.
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T-Rex Barbeque
1300 10th St, Berkeley, CA 94710›6 Replies-
re: Robert Lauriston
Scott M
Dec 14, 2011 04:58 PM
Have you tried Ironwood BBQ in Berkeley? I have been meaning to give them a try.
I haven't found any terrific BBQ worth recommending, though I have enjoyed Bo's in Lafayette for brisket about 10 years ago. Not sure if it has stood the test of time.
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Ironwood BBQ
2130 Oxford St, Berkeley, CA 94720-
re: Scott M
I was late to the Bo's bandwagon, but it after over 30 years has supplanted KC as my favorite BBQ joint. Bo's ribs are so good they don't need sauce. Any time I am east of the Caldecott, I find my way to Bo's. Still like KC better than anywhere else when I want to stay closer to home.
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re: chocolatetartguy
Civil Bear
Dec 14, 2011 07:42 PM
Count me in as Bo's lover. It has been awhile since I have visited because I rarely get out that way, but I always though it should get more love on these boards.
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Bo's Barbecue
3422 Mount Diablo Blvd, Lafayette, CA
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re: Scott M
Civil Bear
Dec 14, 2011 07:40 PM
They do a nice pulled pork sandwich. However all the food is brought in from their San Francisco location at the GGP Golf Course.
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re: Scott M
Robert Lauriston
Dec 15, 2011 10:50 AM
I don't need to leave town for brisket, Smoke Berkeley's is the best I've had.
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Smoke Berkeley
2434 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley, CA 94702
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