3.5 Stars
Something new is smoking at Fremont Street. It ain't under the canopy. It is inside Binion's Gambling Hall. Benny's Smokin BBQ & Brews recently opened near the Binion's sports book.
Last night my brother and I decided to give this place a try. I'd be a guinea pig and experience the newest BBQ restaurant in downtown. With that said, I observed that it is a streamlined operation. The hours are limited from 4 to 11p.m. They only serve dinner from a streamlined menu. There are only four entrees. Entree one is the full rack of baby back ribs for $15.99. Entree two is the half rack of baby back ribs for $10.99. Entree three is the half chicken for $10.99. And Entree four is the half rack and half chicken for $13.99. The Binion's card discounts each entree by $2. The first thing we did was sign up for the Binion's card to take advantage of the $2 discount. All the entrees include baked beans, corn on the cob, a biscuit, and cole slaw.
Regardless that there are signs advertising the restaurant and a local paper featured a column on it, Benny's Smokin BBQ & Brew was sparsely populated with patrons. Setting eyes on a dimly lit restaurant that resembles an Irish pub more than a BBQ joint, we sat ourselves. Faster than a hand of Blackjack, the friendly waitress greeted us. On account of the streamlined menu, deciding what to order was easy. I ordered the half rack of BBQ ribs and BBQ chicken and not a brew but a Coke.
I give Benny's Smokin BBQ & Brew 3.5 stars, the equivalent of a "B+" on a report card. The ribs and chicken were tasty without all the stickiness. I only used a moderate amount of the roll of papertowels on the table. The ribs were easy to cut. This was not one of those messy BBQ disasters. I was satisfied with the ribs and chicken. And speaking for my brother so was he. What could I say about BBQ beans and a biscuit? They taste the same every place I eat them. I felt the corn on the cob could of been warmer. Just like anyplace I've been to, the cole slaw was delicious.
Sometimes, it pays to be a guinea pig. Now I know that when I am at the Fremont Street Experience and have a craving for BBQ food all I have to do is walk to the back of Binion's.