Golden Rule Barbecue-irondale

You know you are at a great BBQ place as soon as you open your car door. That smoky aroma is everywhere! Unlike the other Golden Rules we have visited, the smell, the interior of bldg, and by just watching the pitmasters and food prep folks working, you know you are in for some really good BBQ. I had the chopped brisket plate with potato salad and baked beans. While the sides were really good, the brisket was outstanding. Great flavor, great texture and super juicy. If reviewing food only, this review would be 5+ stars. However, service was definitely lacking in specific areas. One, while I know the rona has affected eating establishments and they have to do what they have to in order to serve, when asked if I could get my Miller Lite in a glass, was told absolutely, then received a Styrofoam cup, well....that didn't work for me...but it ended up not being an issue due to the beer (canned) being so warm, I returned it, un opened and drank water instead. My next issue, was the lack of knowledge from waitress, which has been an ongoing issue with Golden Rule at a cple different locations. She didn't know which brands of beer they served, couldn't tell me the difference in a large and small brisket plate and never once came back to refill my water. If Golden Rule ever brings their server staff up to the level of their food, they will be a favorite of mine for sure!

old school establishment, been here a long time... but i find the pork to be dry and tough, like pieces of leather. good sauce, good sides (baked beans are fab, potato salad good), and good atmosphere for what it is... but the meat is allowed to dry out and it is not tender and flavorful like, say full moon's is. ...and the thing is, whether it was two years ago or yesterday, it is always the same.

The food looked and smelled great. The sad part is, Sam,the GM, was so rude and disrespectful before my food was brought out, that I could NOT bring myself to eat their food! He even let his hostile employee son ( shaggy little kid with tattoos and glasses)curse me out while trying to pick a fight with me. Sam the general manager, finally realized I had a friend with me, and other customers clearly seen he and his staff were out of line. It was so bad, He had to remove his hostile cashier ( little shaggy haired kid, who was cussing me out & flexing his forearm tattoos at me, belligerently asking me if I had a F’ing problem.. to which I replied “NO” 😂) Sam wanted to comp my meal (that I didn’t take one bite of, and was cold at this point) I thankfully declined, and immediately left the premises due to fear of retaliation by Sam the GM, or one of his hostile employees, which wouldn’t have gone good in their favor! The owner of this location needs to clean-house, a hire a fresh new crew.