I just just visited the Kissimmee location. I was there on vacation with my family.I no sooner pulled into the parking lot then I found myself smiling. Right next to the building, there is a small pen containing a lifelike concrete pig and a very old stove. Couldn't help but chuckle and it really put me in the mood to see what was going on inside. Inside, the decor is a lot of fun. That is the best way to describe it. There is a lot to see and enjoy. You really don't feel like you are in a fast food restaurant, even though there is counter service. Everything is done in redneck style. There is a fisherman in a boat upside down on the ceiling. It really looks just like you would expect a redneck's fishing boat to look like. There is a concrete tree next to the gift stand with another redneck hunter sleeping in it as well. Everything from the ceiling fans with everything from hand saws to hacked up street signs for blades to the lamps made from carburetors and tire jacks decorate the place. In booths you sit on car seats. Against the wall, there are pickup truck tailgates lowered as seats as well. It's a hoot. One corner of the restaurant is used as a gift shop. I will get to that later. Overall the decor gets an "A" from me. Very enjoyable. I liked it and everyone else seemed to as well. Lots of smiles. Each table has one of Jeff's redneck calandars with each day being another "you might be a redneck if...." joke on it. Kept us occupied while we waited for our order to get ready. Even though we ordered at the counter, someone brought our food which I thought was a nice touch. I ordered the sampler plate which had ribs, chicken and pulled pork on it along with cornbread, beans and cole slaw. I am a real barbeque fan and I consider myself very discerning when it comes to what I will call good. I can say without hesitation, the ribs and the chicken were the best I have ever eaten in a restaurant setting. Juicy, tasty with just the right amount of smoke. The sauces are excellent as well. The beans and cole slaw were excellent as well. The pulled pork was quite good but not as good as the rest in my opinion. I later found out that they were still working on that item and they were not quite satisfied either. I can't comment on the corn bread because I am not a fan but my kids said it was very tasty. They had the "Jeff Dogs" which were large smoked hot dogs with lots of trimmings and they wolfed them down. My wife had the Redneck Sandwich which is a pork based sandwich on a bun. I am not sure of the exact trimmings but I loved it and consider myself lucky to have gotten the one bite she finally and reluctantly agreed to share. While we were eating, an employee stopped by our table and allowed us to sample some of their fresh fried pork rinds and had Jeff's mustard sauce as a dip. I am not much for pork rinds but they were good. Better yet was the mustard sauce. It is the one that won the national competition. It was delicious. Can't wait to try it on fresh vegetables.
While we were eating, we were visited by David Womick, the president of the company. He wanted to know our impression of his restaurant and the food. We told him how impressed we were with everything and I also mentioned that I was considering buying some stock in his company and dropped by to check it out. He spent quite some time chatting with us about his vision for the future and about how he will be able to replicate this quality throughout the chain. I must admit, I am very impressed by his knowledge of the business, his eye for profit and drive. He clearly knows what he wants and has the determination and knowledge to get there. At least that was my impression of him. On the way out, we stopped by the gift counter and managed to drop an additional $50. They have Jeff's tapes and books plus a wide variety of private label food items and their sauces.
All in all, I am convinced. This is a winning concept. I think people will first come for the atmosphere and return again and again for the food. I bought the stock yesterday and expect to do quite well with it. Whether you purchase the stock or not, if you like barbecue, do yourself a favor. Visit Jeff Foxworthy's Backyard Bar-B-Q. |
