Jenn and I have been waiting months to finally make it to Michael Simons place. We also brought along Jenns mom and sister to fully embrace some Cleveland bbq. We went for lunch Around 1230 hoping to get a lunch break away from busy traffic.
We got in after only a brief wait. I barely got back from the bathrooms and we were seated. By the way the only have one men's bathrooms for one persons at a time. This along w the busy traffic did create some wait if you have to go be careful ).
Our server was amazing and did his part to make you get this modern Cleveland local feel. They have a diverse drinks menu for those who want adult beverages. Jenn got a cider locally brewed while the rest of us got water or soda.
For food time Jenn got ribs and pigs ears. Her ribs were thin on the meat and she didn't care for the unique pig ear experience. I actually didn't mind them but they have such a odd texture that I can't even describe. It was more fatty and chewy. She also said it was a lot of spice rub and didn't have a slow cooked rib burn or char marks.
Her mom got ribs and greens. She didn't care for either again lack of meat and portion sizes for the prices. She did like her modern key lime dessert in a cup.
Her sister got brisket and potatoes. The potatoes were nothing special you couldn't cook yourself. And the brisket was small and dry and could have used more of whatever toppings they had on it.
I got the Spicy cheese kielbasa which was listed at a half pound for 10 bucks. It was good and I am a huge meat person , the prize point for the size of a hot dog and four tiny bite size slivers not worth it. Again good quality bit portion size was sad. I also got the jalapeño beans, again lacking in portion and tastes zero of the spice. I got the coleslaw which was more of vinegar slaw and cilantro, it was delicious. The common theme of where is the rest for a small cup for six bucks.
Jenn also got a oatmeal creme experience like little Debbie snack cakes. This one was huge and on steroids and cost 8 bucks. Super sweet and the oatmeal cookie was chewy. Smaller portion and cheaper price point on this one. Unless people share it.
Small portions is the theme and everything had some spice to it. Well except for my jalapeño beans, which I wanted spice. We preferred Simons other location as this was just to pricy for the portion sizes and unless your a fan of spice (which I am) I would avoid the location. We spent 78 dollars for two people and Jenn was still hungry and didn't touch. Her pig ears. It seems with butcher and brewer the same thing these trendy spots give you microscopic portions and charge premium prices.