Check It Out: Big River BBQ
You know the building on College where that Sonic used to be, the one just down the road from Evelyn Hills? The one where there has been an empty Sonic just sitting there for the past couple years? The one that everyone assumed would stay empty until another Sonic moved into it because no one could imagine anything but a Sonic occupying it?
Well, starting today, it shall be empty no longer, and not because we are getting another Sonic. It is because of Big River BBQ.
According to the sign out front, Big River BBQ’s grand opening will be today and they will have $5 catfish combos. Sounds like a serious deal.
If you happen to check it out today let us know how it went, and let us know if they are using the old Sonic machines to place orders.
Trip Jones is a guest contributor for the Fayetteville Flyer. He is a graduate student in the Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas. For more of Trip’s contributions, visit his author page.
Comments
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By moondawg on July 8th, 2009
The catfish is outstanding, with just right seasoning. You’ll love it.
By burgerboy on July 14th, 2009
I liked it. I didn’t like having to tip for takeout, though.
By Duke McDingo on July 15th, 2009
I went there yesterday, here’s some notes.
I had a “Pig Sammich” (their spelling not mine)
The sauce was a little bit sweet for my liking, but some people like that.
The meat was tasty. Very tasty.
The prices were pretty decent for BBQ (Pig Sammich Combo for $7, Big O Pig Sammich Combo for 9 and that includes a side and a drink)
They have sweet tea (yes!)
They put the slaw on your sammich unless otherwise notified (yes!)
The other menu items look very good too: ribs, catfish, pig salad, pig frito pie(this looks interesting)
They are pretty low tech right now: no speakers, no “light up menus” they don’t even have a buzzer. Just a laminated menu taped to the poles. You just pull up and someone comes and takes your order. They don’t have a debit machine either so bring cash.
Personally I liked it. It’s one of those places where you know it’s fresh cause you can see/smell the cooker out back.
By moondawg on July 19th, 2009
Update: Having really liked the catfish, I went back and got a Big Pig Sammich for $6. (No fries, no drink – I took it home.) I agree with Duke above: the pork was VERY tasty, bite after bite. I liked the sweet edge to the sauce, which I’d call mellow rather than sweet. The coleslaw on the sandwich just adds to it all, because the coleslaw is just so damned fine itself. The “low tech” aspect is just fine; everyone is within hollering distance anyway. As for the one reviewer not liking to tip for takeout, I can only say, imho, if you don’t want to tip a teenager 50 cents or a buck for their honest service, why don’t you just nuke up a Hungry Man Salisbury “Steak” and save yourself the gasoline cost to go get something you resent tipping for? In short, this place serves really tasty food at a good price. This $6 sammich is so much better than a fast food double burger you’d be crazy not to try it.
By burgerboy on July 21st, 2009
Hey Moondawg,
Or, I can just go to the 6 other BBQ places in town where I’m not expected to tip for take-out, or dine-in.
The BBQ was tasty, but thats what I didn’t like.
I asked the girl who brought me my food “do you work on tips?” because I’m not a dick who doesn’t tip when the kids are working for it.
By Me on July 21st, 2009
I am a great tipper, but you have to draw the line somewhere… I’ll never feel bad about not tipping someone for takeout. They do get paid and even if it is a pittance and they don’t get tips, they will be required to receive minimum wage come pay time. I worked my butt off when I was 16 for minimum wage and I didn’t gripe about not getting tips.
By Me on July 21st, 2009
Besides, why do you feel required to tip? Just because they put the tip line on a card receipt? And Moondawg, you criticize for not tipping a teenager for honest service for takeout… what about the cashier that checks you out for the hungry man meal you mention? Didn’t they perform an honest service too?
By yrfuneralmytrial on July 21st, 2009
Glad to hear it’s good food. The signage, atmosphere etc… look a little dodgy which usually translates to either excellent food or a quick decent into oblivion. Tipping for take-out? If it’s Sonic, I’m usually a 50-cent to $1 guy. If it’s $40 worth of sushi & apps from Kobe, I’ll do a few bucks for bagging it all up etc…
By Hungrymailman on July 29th, 2009
Great food, great prices, its your call on the tip, most people don’t sweat the little bit of change.