This was one of my usual places to grab good BBQ before I left Calgary. I recently returned and I'm finding things aren't what they used to be. This place has definitely gone WAY downhill.
I ordered a standard brisket sandwich. This should be a walk in the park for ANY reputable BBQ joint and something they used to excel at in the past. What I got was a joke. A bun with a sliver of brisket on it, maybe 3 ounces worth of meat. You could tell just by looking at it, that it was a terrible cut, nothing but tendons and grizzle. I took one bite and found out that it was also ice cold. It was so cold that I thought maybe they had run out of cooked brisket and served me something from the fridge. Not only that but it was completely tasteless. I'm not the kind of person to send something back unless it's REALLY bad. This got sent back. Along with the next one which was even more of an embarrassment. Finally, I just sucked it up and ate a cold sandwich, which I informed the manager looming over my table after having sent back two plates. To my surprise he made sure to point out that I would be paying for my meal. As if I had planned to go in there without paying? I hadn't even hinted about compensation. What an insult.
I'll never be back.
Since returning to Calgary I've noticed this trend across many formerly fantastic places where people are willing to pay significantly more, for significantly smaller portions, terrible quality and questionable service.