📍 Address: 32 Church St, Cambridge

⭐ Stars:⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4)

I called Border and asked if they could tell me what the wait time was right now for a party of six. Not what it would be in ten minutes, not in 30 minutes, RIGHT NOW. "I'm sorry, we can't tell you the wait time unless you are in the restaurant itself because we don't want to set false expectations." What? No way, she must not have understood me. I clarify for her, and explain that I will set no expectations, I just want to know what it would be if I were in the restaurant right now, hypothetically. Nope. She understood me. She just wasn't going to tell me. Forget this place, anywhere that treats their customers like this doesn't deserve my business. I'd rather go to Qdoba, Chipotle, or Felipe's anyway.

📍 Address: 900 E 11th St, Austin

⭐ Stars:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5)

Little Rooster and I finally made it to Franklin BBQ today; a trade off for my complete lack of participation in Austin Restaurant Week. The anticipation was overwhelming driving from Driftwood halfway down 35 to a trailer on the side of the road. I'm thinking 11am on the money should get us right up to the window. Way wrong, at 11:03 we still waited 30 minutes. For those who plan on standing there with small children remember some form of entertainment besides the folks standing in line with you. A mobile playscape perhaps. Once you finally get up there; its gratuitous BBQ porn. The guy inquires on your preferences and cuts it to your specs. I have to tell you because of the line and considering I didn't know if I would venture back anytime soon I went overboard on the ordering. A two meat plate with fatty brisket and pork ribs; a pulled pork sandwich just in case. I was eating for two; meals that is. The pulled pork sandwich was really good; made even better with the slaw on top. The brisket was perfection; the absolute best I've encountered in a long time. Similar praise for the pork ribs yet I'll reserve top honors because I still think that no name place out in Driftwood deserves the gold medal thanks to the sugar content in their BBQ sauce. Sugar and spices caramelized on meat is a beautiful thing. I liked Franklin's Carolina style vinegar sauce; but the espresso sauce was disappointing. A novelty sauce that didn't amount to its potential if there was any. The slaw with its bite of lemon and the potato salad rounded out a tasty lunchtime meal(s). The meat should always be the star of any BBQ establishment and Franklin definitely has that aspect covered. Ambiance for an abandoned parking lot proved better than I expected with the pit chugging along and old country standards cutting thru the noise of the freeway. Sitting at a picnic table wasting away in BBQ-Ville came to mind. That's not a bad image once I start thinking about it; chugging down my Dublin Dr. Pepper. Franklin is impressive and should be counted as yet another BBQ destination in Central Texas; 4 stars from Ol' Rooster

📍 Address: 4200 N Lamar Blvd, Austin

⭐ Stars:⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4)

Holy crap. If you think you're going to just get some breakfast tacos thing again. I ate the Popeye and then created two of my own - yes I was a little hungry. If you go here you must add the mashed potatoes to hmmm idk everything! I put mine with eggs, bacon and mashed potatoes. I am still salivating just thinking about how good it was. Not only was the food super great but the staff was super friendly. I told them it was my first time being there and the lady walked me through the entire menu and answered all my questions. Great spot!

📍 Address: 3107 N Lombard St, Portland

⭐ Stars:⭐⭐⭐ (3)

I had a great experience. I ordered the meatball sub and the lamb gyro with caesar salads. The food came in about 35 minutes. They did to forget to take off the onions and add tomato to my salad but small offense for how delicious my sub was. I'd recommend.

📍 Address: 40 Brattle St, Cambridge

⭐ Stars:⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4)

SO this review is hard I so wanted it to be higher - but It can't be. I went with my parents for lunch. So we went for burgers. The table next to us got the last one. This was disappointing. BUT, it can happen. I know there is a limited amount of burgers each day. Not being able to get a burger has NO influence on this rating. We got Crumpets and bacon as an appetizer/side. Both came quickly and were delicious. But what happened next was what brings the review down. My entree ( Corn packages, fruit, cream, etc) came with these two sides. Alone. without my parents food coming. About ten minutes later my father asked the waiter why this happened (I still had not touched my food, as I believe it is rude to eat when others don't have their food yet) The waiter explained how " they try to serve everything together as much as they can, but sometimes things take different amounts of time. They were plating the other two meals, etc" Then my moms Latkes came. And nothing for my father. Finally 5 minutes later his biscuit sandwich came So the food was good. Mine, even though cold in the 15 minutes I waited for the other meals to come, was good. My parents were satisfied with theirs The server did comp the biscuit sandwich (not something we asked for), which was nice. The service was bad. it was busy, it was 130 on a Saturday. I hope it was a one time thing. I hope it is not an indication of the restaurant in general. But I have never been to a restaurant where entrees come out 15+ minutes apart form each other. It led to cold food and upset parents. I will try again. I want a burger. I just hope the service is better I guess buyer beware in busy times

📍 Address: 1238 Dekalb Ave NE, Atlanta

⭐ Stars:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5)

This place converted me from 25 year vegetarian (not even pescatarian, but full on) to raving bbq eater in one fell swoop. This is the pulled pork with the brown ends I dream about. The short ribs, if you're lucky enough to get one, feeds about 6, and makes me feel like Fred Flintstone. I am moving to Atlanta soon, and only partially because Fox Bros is there. I'm barely kidding.