CBQ Cowboy Bar & ‘Que

My son and I have been on a mission to find the best pulled pork sandwich in the area. This rating is only for that. We’ve tried every place in town now over the past year and are going back to the best places we liked. Based on others’ ratings about service didn’t line up with our experience but then both times we went there were for lunch. As for the food, we managed to have 2 great meals there, both the same choices but either way very good.
Our top 4 choices were CBQ, Famous Dave’s, Men Wielding Fire and Texas BBQ. We rated these with respect to bun, meat, coleslaw and sauce. We added beer choices because how can you eat a BBQ without it. Also the coleslaw was rated based on it being on top of the sandwich, not as a side… how else do you eat a real pulled pork otherwise!
CBQ was the best. The meat was tender and not mushy nor dry. I would have preferred a little more smokiness to it but was still excellent.
They have a variety of sauces which many places in town don’t. From sweet to spicy and everything in between. Having no options to spice it up if we wanted was important for us. The spicy one had a more smokey flavor which was nice. Not one place that offered a «spicy» sauce really was too spicy so don’t just pass them up.
The bun was nicely toasted and not overwhelmingly doughy like Brother’s BBQ which gave you more bun than meat in a bite.
The slaw was creamy but enough vinegar came through and was crunchy as well. I just like to have a little more tang. Few places in town offer any as tangy as I like it, oh well.
As for the beer, they serve a local brew called the Dirty Wookie from The Brewer’s Cabinet which paired nicely if you like darker brews. Several places in town don’t even offer beer (sorry, Budweiser’s, Coor’s and Corona aren’t real beer) so it’s a nice addition.
Finally, our server Erik, who we had for both times was really helpful and attentive. He was always checking on us to see if we needed anything.
Your mileage may vary, but we’ll go back and maybe try their other meals… it’ll be hard not to just keep with the pulled pork because we know how delicious it is!

You should go to this place if you want to see what a nice restaurant and bar looks like. That is all you will do anyway because there is nobody to serve you. A few months ago I stopped by and there was nobody working. So I left. Today, I decided to give the place another try. When we walked in the place, there was already a couple of people ahead of us standing there waiting to be helped. They told us they have been standing there a while and nobody was there to serve them. After 5 minutes of standing around we left. The place was empty save for 3 – 4 people at the bar. Didn’t see a bartender either. I guess this place doesn’t want business or it’s a self serve place. Either way I won’t be coming back there anytime soon.

Alright. So I said I’d update my review (way back when) if I ever ate at CBQ. Those pictures I posted from August of 2015 were the first and only time I will eat here. CBQ must use the same sort of spice that Gilley’s uses. Because less than an hour after eating my pizza and some of my boyfriend’s fries, I was breaking out on the dance floor, and I don’t mean the newest line dancing moves. I broke out in hives, MUCH worse than when I was at Gilley’s. In case you haven’t read my Gilley’s review: when I broke out in hives it was on my face and neck there. Here, it was face neck, back and chest. I must have missed the possible allergen note on the pizza and/​or chili dog and/​or fries. I refuse to eat there because I have no idea what made me break out again, and considering the fact that it was worse the second time, I don’t want to know what the third break out will be like.
Another note on the food, the service was horrible. I’m pretty sure we had to flag down a server to bring us a menu. Luckily the wait wasn’t long between ordering the food being ready. But the longest part, was waiting for the bill. 6 months later and we’re still waiting! I think my boyfriend and I have bought enough booze though from the place that it more than adds up. So that dropped my star count for this place.
Also, the on again off again Saturday night dancing. It’s disappointing when I hear that CBQ has dropped the Saturday night dancing. It’s a place to come and dance early, so if I don’t feel like staying out super late to go dance at GSR, I can come here. Luckily, for the moment as of 2÷24÷2016, there is Saturday dancing.
Another star drop, would be what happened this past Saturday (2÷20÷2016). I do believe O’Clearys and CBQ are owned by the same person, hence the connector hallway between the two (one I’ve heard of and haven’t seen). Apparently there is a band that plays every Saturday at O’Clearys, well this last Saturday it was fully rented out and there was no place for the band to go, except next door to CBQ. I was wondering how we were going to line dance to rock or something, but their set list was country. Cool. When they began playing, I was nearly thrown to the back of the place like a bug squished on a wall. Their sound was far too loud. I felt like I was at a concert and could barely carry on a conversation with my friends. I feel the manager should have stepped in and asked the band to adjust their sound, the DJ’s music has NEVER been that loud. Secondly, the band was off. No one was harmonious. But, I still danced to their music as best I could, because I came to dance. If I wanted to listen to a live band I would go to Gilley’s (nothing wrong with a live band, just not my style). What I love about CBQ is the DJ, who plays the songs the dancers request. A band has a setlist (I’ve never been to gilleys for the band, but I’m guessing that’s how it is) they’ve planned and rehearsed and I’m sure requests are frowned upon, and not played upon.
The final reason why I’ve dropped my review from 5 to 1 star is management. I wrote a note to the manager, expressing my displeasure (I’m better writing my thoughts than speaking on the fly). And rather than taking into account the displeasure of a regular customer (who spoke for pretty much all the regulars) and perhaps taking this into consideration and speak with the displeased patron, he became enraged that I should dare disagree with his choice. (At least that’s the projection I got from the situation. I’m not sure how much longer I will come here and give this place my business, but for the moment, I’ll still go and dance the night away.
I’d give the place 0 stars, but there are two good bartenders, Tara and Jeremy and they’re a redeeming factor for the business. They are prompt, and make your drink perfect, definitely worth the price you pay.

Food was really good, but that was after they didn’t have pulled pork or chili and I had to order something else. BBQ and no pulled pork or chili?! Am I in hell?

I really wanted to like this restaurant! Alas, I don’t think I’ll return. Main reason: both my boyfriend and I felt hella sick a few hours after eating here. Not full-​on food poisoning sick, but sick enough that regardless of whether my brisket sandwich and his pulled pork sandwich actually got us sick, we just have a bad association with this place.
But there are other reasons to two star this place, too: service on is slow even though it is not at all crowded. We waited at the hostess stand for three or so minutes before anyone sat us. The greeting is the first impression the restaurant gets to make, and not having a prompt and friendly greeting is a bad sign. Although the décor inside is great, when I went on a Saturday afternoon there were only three other pairs of people eating. In such a big open space, that kind of emptiness just looks bad!
Prices were very reasonable, especially with the 15% Unilocal check-​in discount. The coleslaw – my favorite part of BBQ food – was really bland. The fries were meh. Our respective sandwiches were delicious while we ate them, but then our tummies were so unhappy later that day.

Probably should be more like 4.5 stars. Went for dinner before a movie on Friday. Lots of people doing the line dancing. The place is huge so it doesn’t feel crowded. Really great service too. Line dancing (or country) isn’t really my thing, but it was a very fun atmosphere.
On to the food. Great prices, so we bought a few things. Tried the pulled pork potato skins, bourbon molasses wings, beef ribs, and brisket. The «potato skins» were essentially 2 huge potatoes split in half piled with sour cream, pork, and cheese. Wings were good and very big. Brisket was great. Sometimes with beef ribs they are very fatty, sometimes they have little meat. I’m pleased to say that the full rack we received were not fatty but were instead full of tender beef!!!
One suggestion; bigger sides. The cheese corn was delicious! The beans were very good (and meaty in that Texas way) but I swear it was 3 bites. The side of fries was a small handful of fries. The Mac and cheese is homemade, but a little bland for my taste.
The prices, service, and atmosphere set this place apart. I look forward to going back. Great smoky flavor to the food. Even some of the sides. If I go there next time and it’s this good, I might raise it to 5 stars.

This was one very fun but odd night. We were at legends for the tree lighting and wanted to grab some dinner after the tree was lit.
We had never been to CBQ, so we figured there would be a wait with hundreds of people there.
We We ere told there was a 30 to 40 minute wait, which we were ok with. This is where it gets odd.
With a wait like that you would expect a full house, packed restaurant. Not the case, about five couples were in there. It w s s literally empty.
I could not figure out the wait. Finally the hostess came back and explained the kitchen is shared by two restaurants and they are way backed up and understaffed.
We were finally seated and ordered a appetizer. We were so hungry. The potatoe skins came out and they looked great, but we had no utensils. So i called the waitress over and asked for utensils. We were told they r as n out and she will try to dig some up.
YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME. Try to dig some up really kind of scared me.
My wife order r d a Margarita and it tasted like it was just mix. The waitress said it was the bartenders second day.
When the food came out it was good.
The service was awful, will not be back.

I’ve been going to CBQ on Friday nights for dance lessons for a few weeks now. Jessica, the bartender has been great! I wanted something fruity with rum and she created a delicious drink for me! I like that she remembers me from week to week.
A few weeks ago I went with a group of friends and we decided to have dinner. Our server was Marcus and he went out of his way to make sure everything was good. I went with the Caesar salad and one of my friends ordered a pizza. I enjoy my salads when I get them there but I have to say, I really enjoyed the pizza. Not everyone liked it but it was a traditional greasy pepperoni. I tend to prefer the traditional pizzas over the newer «healthy» pizzas.
When you check in on Unilocal you get 5 free chicken wings. We went with the Bourbon Molasses flavor. the flavor was great but the wings were a little weird. The texture was off, kind of dry. Maybe its because they were smoked instead of deep fried. We told Marcus that we really didn’t care for the wings and he requested another order for us. Unfortunatley, thery weren’t any better but at least he tried.
Finally, Wayne, the line dance instructor does a great job. He is always helpful and it is obvious that he loves what he does. When the lessons are over he will always help anyone that is trying to learn a dance.

July 23, 2015 Thursday — 6:30 PM for dinner
An Adult and a kid
Atmosphere — 4 stars
Food — 4 stars
Service — 5 stars
Background — Going to movie at the Galaxy Theater and figured I would hit this place up.
Atmosphere — It was dead here tonight. After we sat down there were only three tables filled which made the place feel very empty. The place does look good but all that open space made it feel hollow.
Food
Drinks — I had the happy hour 16 ounce Sierra Nevada Pale Ale for $ 2.50, what a deal. My daughter had a Sprite for $ 2.75, ouch! My beer was cheaper than my daughters. Crazy!
Dinner — Stuck with the happy hour menu. Ten Smoked Wings for $ 7, which I thought was a good deal. They were very meaty wings. I had the buffalo sauced wings which with the smoke did not work out so well. I am thinking the bbq or bourbon molasses would be better fit with the smoke.
Service — A little wait at the hostess station as there was no one there, no biggie. Our waiter was great and the manager stopped by to make sure everything was good.
Future — Yeah, I think I want to try the bourbon molasses smoked wings.

Great place to catch dinner before a movie. It is up the stairs across from the IMAX theater (although I would put some signage by the stairs and elevator because it is easy to miss it when you are just walking around the center.
First of all… they have a beautiful patio… I mean beautiful. At some of the tables, you can get a beautiful view of the marina. They also have a bar out there (wasn’t open last night) but this looks like a cool place to have a party.
We went inside to eat and it was beautiful inside. I was surprised to see there were not a lot of people there, because it is really a nice place. Exposed brick, a gorgeous bar, and wood make this place feel really upscale.
We seated ourselves and the bartender came over to take our order. She was super friendly and quick letting us know it was still happy hour. I love places that extend happy hour until 7 because it is hard to get someplace by 6. Margaritas were $ 3.00 and there were other drink specials. Hubby had a sweet ice tea made with ice tea vodka, triple sec and lemonade and he loved it.
We checked in with Unilocal and got a free order of BBQ wings. I ordered the pulled pork plate. For $ 10.00 I got a huge plate of pork, cornbread, and two sides… you cannot beat that! Hubby got the wings and ate off my huge plate. Our food arrived in 10 minutes, which was really impressive! The wings were falling off the bone they were so tender (hubby said best BBQ sauce he’s had out West). My pulled pork was delicious! I am from the south so I know my BBQ and I agree with hubby the flavor is the best I have had since moving from the east coast. With two drinks, my dinner and the free wings… dinner was 20.00 great value!
Our server took great care of us making sure the food tasted good, water glasses were filled and she was very personable. Great choice for dinner and a movie.

I come here every weekend to relieve stress and do some line dancing. This place a has great atmosphere and welcomes all ages. If you’re looking to have some fun and drinks I’d stop in and check their line dance classes every Friday night at 8:30pm dancing starts at 7pm until closing!
I’ve actually ordered something three times and the food is fantastic, the down side is service. First time they burnt my food, told me they’ll fix it better next time. Second time I waited two and a half hours while dancing before getting my meal. The last time I ordered I had to hunt down a waiter and they forgot my fork and didn’t bring me the check at the end of the night. Still though, I love to dance so I show up for that and have a great time!