Upscale Atlanta BBQ Fails>Thoughts?

Bennett's "Bad To The Bone BBQ" has closed, in north Atlanta. It might not have made it a year.

It opened as an more upscale BBQ restaurant, that looked inside more like a Starbucks, than the typical Ga. "Q" joint with Jesus on the walls and a smiling pig out front. The former business there, was indeed a BBQ restaurant as well, one that WAS indeed a dump---and was always packed.

Too bad, as Bennett's had great food! The Brunswick stew was IMO second only to Atlanta legend Harold's. It was an absolute steal at $4 a Qt., when most place want at least twice that much. Sides such as fresh collards and potato salad were excellent.

The meats were always nicely done as well, with a tasty homemade sauce. There was nothing to complain about, when it came to tender, lean meats.

The place just never took off. Sometimes I wonder if it was simply TOOnice for it's own good???

READ ABOUT IT HERE:
http://www.bennettsbadbbq.com/bios.html

Can a BBQ restaurant in the south, be too upscale to draw patrons?
Whadda ya think

===Can a ...restaurant ... ...be too upscale to draw patrons? Whadda ya think===

Oh easily. I have seen one fine Japanese/Chinese restaurant fail. They made great sushi that was very artfully presented. Problem is that the folks here are not wild about raw fish and rice. They could not compete against the two Chinese buffets within a half mile. One day I drove by, and they were closed.

A new restaurant has opened there and they are offering French-Japanese fusion. They are featuring things like duck confit along with a sushi menu. I could describe the menu more fully after I try it, as I don't think they will last long here. Better get there now.

mark

From the referenced article...BBQ influenced food w/ a SoHo something or other. Never in a million years. In NC they would not have made it a month.

Was this Bennetts related to the Bennetts in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge TN?

quote:

Originally posted by Al-The Mayor-Bowen

Was this Bennetts related to the Bennetts in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge TN?

Not that I know of Mayor. They never mentioned anything, and I don't see a link on their website to anything there.

The food really was good, but I just don't think southern folks are ready for sterile BBQ restaurants. I mean this place made the Q chains look dumpy, it was so nice! Down here, when it comes to pulled pork, collard greens, and 'tator salad---we kinda like "dumpy!"

I think upscale and BBQ are mutually exclusive..BBQ by nature is messy, you want to eat it in a place where you feel comfortable with sauce on you chin..fingers...shirt...

Can a ...restaurant ... ...be too upscale to draw patrons? Whadda ya think===


One of the biggest restaurateurs tried that here in Tucson. He opened two places called Smoking and they only lasted about two years. All his other places here are great but his idea of what a BBQ joint should be was just off the wall, the place was just to sterile. When I think a BBQ joint should look like I always revert back to Rudy's in Leon Springs Tx.

I follow Atl. BBQ fairly closely, and never heard this place mentioned. Did they ever advertise?

Still liking Sam & Daves No. 1, and best ribs in GA at Smokehouse in Gainesville.

I have to ask: who thought it was a good idea to buy the domain name "Bennett's Bad BBQ"?

The ambiance may have been very nice but it may have caused people to think they were putting all their money into decor and very little into the food.

quote:

Originally posted by dale1prosist

I follow Atl. BBQ fairly closely, and never heard this place mentioned. Did they ever advertise?They did a small amount. I guess the biggest was they were a part of WSB TV's Buy one/Get one promotion. You paid for one $25 gift certificate and you got a second free. I never saw them advertise in any of the local publications, and I never saw them reviewed in any, either.

Still liking Sam & Daves No. 1, and best ribs in GA at Smokehouse in Gainesville.

I just saw a blurb on the news about a company selling off their Smokey Bones BBQ restaurants as they were not making money, I checked out the web site www.smokeybones.com and see they have closed a bunch of their locations. I have read all sorts of negative comments on Roadfood (my own included) about Famous Dave’s. I just don’t think everyone can do bbq, I don’t think it franchises well, I think really good bbq is special. It isn’t defined by lines on a map, the color of your skin, the sort of music you like or your heritage. It is defined by a love for low slow cooking over woods with carefully prepared rubs, mops and spices and a diligent watching of the thermometer, or polder if you prefer.

I've always thought the Smokey Bones here was pretty good. I guess I better get over there again before they go under.

quote:

Originally posted by Theedge

I just saw a blurb on the news about a company selling off their Smokey Bones BBQ restaurants as they were not making money, I checked out the web site www.smokeybones.com and see they have closed a bunch of their locations. I have read all sorts of negative comments on Roadfood (my own included) about Famous Dave’s. I just don’t think everyone can do bbq, I don’t think it franchises well, I think really good bbq is special. It isn’t defined by lines on a map, the color of your skin, the sort of music you like or your heritage. It is defined by a love for low slow cooking over woods with carefully prepared rubs, mops and spices and a diligent watching of the thermometer, or polder if you prefer.

The more I think about this, the less I understand. What does Soho have to with BBQ? I think that even as I enjoyed the good BBQ I would have felt out of place.

BBQ is messy. I don't want to feel like I should be wearing a tie as I gnaw into a rib.

There's a new BBQ place in Clemson, Big Dave's, I'm not sure it's part of a chain or not. What I do know is the place looks pretty dumpy, the speaker system sucks, the food is delicious, and the place is always packed. That's what matters.

OK..not sure about having to have the place look like a dump...the original Dreamland IS a dump, but the other stores in AL and GA are decent digs that are clean and do well....Saucey Q down here in Mobile is excellent Q and they never had a subpar environment or messy place.............if the front of the house is not clean, I shuder to think what's going on in the back

Didn't know which thread I wanted to post this... But anyway...

The "Smokey Bones" location on one of the busiest Roads in north Atlanta has closed. Went there once, a while back, and wasn't too impressed. Big Biz BBQ at best. The sign on the door says, to visit your nearest Olive Garden, or Red Lobster. Last time I did Olive Garden, I would have just as soon had a frozen dinner.

Also, the Boston Market near Smokey Bones has closed, as well.