It has come to our attention that the formerly mighty Flint's BBQ has gone far down in quality. Their product (specifically, the sliced beef) always has been somewhat inconsistent , but over the past several months has become almost inedible. It used to be, at its worst, still better than any other b.a. BBQ. At its best, it was sublime. Lately, though, it has become tough, gristly, and fatty. Of course, this assumes that they are even open for business. They seem to have strange, unannounced variations in their hours of operation. For example, they were closed last Friday evening. No note, nothing. Fortunately, just down the street (we're talking about the San Leandro, East 14th Street operation) is Old South BBQ. Another family-run business, Old South serves an excellent, although different sliced beef. Very thinly-sliced lean beef, a dark sauce similar to Flint's (their "medium" is quite hot), and excellent side dishes and desserts. Consistently good food; normal business hours. The variations in Flint's BBQ used to be part of its charm, but there are no more variations. It's now (IMHO) consistently lousy. David Braun [email removed] David Braun Photography Specializing in groups of all sizes--Conferences/Special Events, Corporate/Industrial, Editorial, P. R. (510) 583-1000
San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Flint's hits bottom!
NNTP-Posting-User: spp David B. wrote: >Fortunately, just down the street (we're talking about the San >Leandro, East 14th Street operation) is Old South BBQ. Another >family-run business, Old South serves an excellent, although different >sliced beef. Very thinly-sliced lean beef, a dark sauce similar to >Flint's (their "medium" is quite hot), and excellent side dishes and >desserts. Consistently good food; normal business hours. >The variations in Flint's BBQ used to be part of its charm, but there >are no more variations. It's now (IMHO) consistently lousy. Sad to say I have to concur (based on the Berkeley flints) -- at this point, EJ's is consistently better (and they never were that much less of a favorite than Flint's). Down where you are, you are not that far from the EJ's on Fruitvale. And thanks for the tip on Old South ------ Steve
I'm surprised no one in this thread has mentioned Waves in downtown SJ. The BBQ there is really good, and the setting is nice. There's even live music in the bar downstairs. It's on Post between Market and First. Wyatt wrote: > > Someone wrote: > > > Would the Bay Area actually support a BBQ restaurant? There is a good one > > near MacArthur and San Pablo in North Oakland (don't go there at night), but > > great BBQ is VERY EXPENSIVE to make. A pork shoulder takes about 20 <snip>
Austin's is the best I have found on the Peninsula - it's on El Camino in Mountain View, near El Monte. An earlier reply mentioned they use gas, but they claim oak and my tastings don't contradict that. It's not great Texas barbecue yet, but it's pretty good and getting better with each visit. Beef ribs were vastly improved last weeks from when they were introduced two monhts ago. Sauces are on the side where they should be. The mild is too sweet but the hot is nicely balanced. I'm hoping they follow a learning curve like Redbones did in the Boston area. Redbones was pretty good when it opened, but in two or three years they were great, better than most places I've been to in Texas and competitive with the very best, especially for brisket. This is far better than the soulless food at Armadillo Willie's or other Peninsula pretenders. Haven't tried Waves or the slew of places recommended in East Bay yet... Michael