Heartful try at Texas BBQ in Tokyo

I gave the new Texas BBQ restaurant in Azabu Juban a try today – their first day of serving lunch. Obviously, there are many kinks for them to work out yet. I can’t say I fully recommend it, but you can give it a try and “rate” for yourself if want to after reading this.

What works:

1. Friendly owner, Craig White
2. Um, that’s about all

What doesn’t work (yet, hope time will improve it):

1. Surly wait staff (other than Craig). Nary a smile in the bunch; what, they left their happy faces at home this first day of lunch business?
2. Tinny music – either the speakers are low quality, or the volume is too loud, or just bad acoustics?
3. Pulled Pork (menu item) – a bit bland – I even asked Craig if the recipe has been “localized” but he said not so (sounds like they may still be experimenting with the flavor).
4. Small portions – maybe a small sandwich and what may be Tokyo’s smallest portion of coleslaw (positive note, the coleslaw was tasty) will fill up a 42 kg. Japanese woman, but the guys (and ladies with bigger appetites) are gonna leave there definitely unsatisfied.
5. Tiny menu selection – 2 items (BBQ Beef & above Pulled Pork). But, Craig says they are adding a BLT with home cured bacon later this week or next. (Wonder how that portion will be…?). Some baked beans to go with the BBQ would be nice…
6. Price – too much for lunch, especially given the portions. 1200 yen for the beef & 1100 for the pork (and that teensy-weensy serving of slaw) – coffee an extra 200 yen (maybe the next time the waiter will remember to bring the milk so my guest doesn’t have to walk over and ask for it). Over priced for the neighborhood – for anywhere in Tokyo, for that matter, for this style restaurant. There are (literally) dozens of places in the vicinity to have lunch (with more food) for well under that price – including coffee.
7. What happened to my reservation? First day foul-up perhaps, and fortunately I was early enough that we got a decent table, but I had reserved to take a friend there for a birthday, which Craig acknowledged when I made the reservation a week ago. Most restaurants in Tokyo will offer the birthday guest a dessert or small treat to celebrate, but not so at White Smoke – at least not for this guest’s birthday. Not even a “happy birthday” to my guest even though I reminded Craig that I was there to buy a friend a birthday lunch. Guess where I will NOT be taking anyone else for their birthday.

Overall rating = 1 star out of 5. Give it a try if you just have to see what Texas BBQ is (supposed to be) about, but don’t go with great hopes and expectations. Maybe dinner is better. I haven’t tried that and not sure if I will given today’s experience.

In case you do want to try it the location is 3-11-2 Moto Azabu, Minato Ku, Tokyo. Mime Azabu Building, 1st floor. That’s in Azabu Juban almost near the end of the main shopping street that runs from exit #4 of the Azabu Juban Station.

Comments

[David]

Small portions, expensive, bland and rude!

[Joe Peters]

Friday was, I believe, their opening day. I went on Wednesday, Nov. 16, which was their first official lunch day according to the owner. There were only two items on the menu - BBQ Chili Beef and the Pulled Pork. My dining partner (the birthday person) liked the beef. I liked the pork, but as I mentioned, a bit bland and a bit small.

[thesoulofjapan]

Did you go on Friday the 16th? I was there too. I thought the smoked burger was done right. Other stuff was a bit bland.