Joey's BBQ - What Happened?

[Chili Palmer]

Joey's BBQ in Chino has always been a go-to for my family, I can honestly say I have never had a bad meal from there and I've been going there since the mid 80's. Well, last night changed all that - My wife got a salad with her dinner (that used to be included), which has always been crisp and fresh, but last night it was kinda wilted and the beets (the wife likes them), were brown and soggy. Then came the food - I got the the 3 meats, a beef rib, some baby back ribs, and some sliced pork. The ribs were tough and dry, they didn't even put any BBQ sauce on the ribs or even put any in a cup, I had to ask for it. The sliced pork was some sort of flavorless ham-like dried meat. My wife got the half chicken and hers was all dried out, not even the sauce could rehydrate it. When our server (who never refilled our drinks or even asked how the food was shortly after it was served, and it was a pretty slow night last night), came back at the end of the meal asked if everything was okay I told her, no. I told her how we've been coming here for over 30 years and have never had a bad meal here until this one. She looked surprised that someone would even say such a thing, I told her that sometimes there's an off night, and maybe an item or two isn't done right, but this time it was everything. She said that she's see what she could do and came back and said that they'd comp us a dessert. We got a bread pudding on the house, an $80 meal and comped a $7 dessert, almost 10% off the bill. The manager never came out to talk to us and 10 minutes after I asked for a plastic bag for the leftovers, she never came back. My wife and I both looked at each other and said - I'm not going eat the leftovers, are you? We just left them on the table.

It's too bad Joey's used to be an awesome restaurant, now they just don't seem to care.

 

[timstoy]

This is happening more unfortunately. Customer service is nonexistent. Also serving smaller portions and charging for salad and sides that use to be included with the meal.

 

[JFMFG]

Hopefully just a off night. We don’t go there very much prob been 5 years or so. But never have had a complaint either.

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

Maybe the cooks quit and they hired new ones who don’t know what they are doing?

We have two restaurants near us in Arrowhead that just closed. One of them they could not get staff, like cooks, to stay so they permanently closed. The other was having staffing issues prior to being sold (randomly closing for not enough staff coming in) and is now closed while the new owners remodel and maybe reopen.

 

[OLDRAAT]

Sounds like they re-served the food from the noon meal?
Even quality restaurants are struggling to maintain employees and full hours, sad.

 

[skifaster]

Maybe the cooks quit and they hired new ones who don’t know what they are doing?

We have two restaurants near us in Arrowhead that just closed. One of them they could not get staff, like cooks, to stay so they permanently closed. The other was having staffing issues prior to being sold (randomly closing for not enough staff coming in) and is now closed while the new owners remodel and maybe reopen.

Which places in Arrowhead if You don't mind me asking? Keep seeing this everywhere, not just small restaurants either.

 

[TrollerDave]

I grew up and live in Chino. It was always a treat to go there. We went a about 3-4 years ago for lunch. It was ok. Not worth the money. Sad, but like it was said, I think a lot of places are going the same way. Costs too much to run a business, something is going to suffer : the product, the service or both. 🫤

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

Which places in Arrowhead if You don't mind me asking? Keep seeing this everywhere, not just small restaurants either.

Bills villager in Blue Jay supposedly permanently closed as of yesterday. They couldn’t keep any cooks. Sad as the place has been around since like the 60’s.

The Cottage in Rimforest closed like a month ago and isn’t scheduled to reopen until like January or February next year as some new place. This place was randomly closing at all hours of the day due to staffing issues that had been going on for at least a year.

My opinion is the govt handouts changed the low income workers, and now they either think they should be paid a lot more (which just results in higher priced food as costs are always passed on, and kills the restaurant via greed), or they’d rather stay home and draw free money and not have to work for it.

 

[skifaster]

Bills villager in Blue Jay supposedly permanently closed as of yesterday. They couldn’t keep any cooks. Sad as the place has been around since like the 60’s.

The Cottage in Rimforest closed like a month ago and isn’t scheduled to reopen until like January or February next year as some new place. This place was randomly closing at all hours of the day due to staffing issues that had been going on for at least a year.

My opinion is the govt handouts changed the low income workers, and now they either think they should be paid a lot more (which just results in higher priced food as costs are always passed on, and kills the restaurant via greed), or they’d rather stay home and draw free money and not have to work for it.

Wow, what a disappointment to hear about both. Been going to Bill's my entire life, and my parents have gone there for even longer. Can't believe the Cottage closed too. Both have been around so long.

 

[Cole Trickle]

This is happening more unfortunately. Customer service is nonexistent. Also serving smaller portions and charging for salad and sides that use to be included with the meal.

Impossible business model going forward.

You need cheap minimum wage labor to run a restaurant and with the new cost of labor you will see most restaurants that aren't huge go the way of the dodo.

Throw in the current cost of quality meat and i have no idea how you could turn a profit with all the costs involved.

The only way you get an amazing consistent product is to do it yourself for the love of it and work crazy hours.

 

[Havazoo]

Bummer to hear, been going there for years....

 

[NHRAFAN]

Had the same experience at Joeys about a year ago absolutely terrible...never again.

 

[Lucky Larry]

I hate spending $$$$ on a bad meal.

We just went last month. I got The Works, beef rib, pork ribs, sausage link, slice of beef, ham steak and chicken leg and it was great, tho ham steak not as big as it was 30 years ago and price no longer $12.95.

Took friends who’d never been and they loved it and he does ribs of his own all the time.

Good thing I didn’t see this first or I probably would have skipped it since we hadn’t been in a while.

Also didn’t notice the “B” rating on the door until after or I would have passed on it as I usually check inspection reports where I eat. Manager said it was a bogus rating from when the restaurant was closed during covid and they were outside only. Said inspector said $500 and they’d change it. She said no, re-inspect.

“Mrs.”

 

[Chili Palmer]

I hate spending $$$$ on a bad meal.

We just went last month. I got The Works, beef rib, pork ribs, sausage link, slice of beef, ham steak and chicken leg and it was great, tho ham steak not as big as it was 30 years ago and price no longer $12.95.

Took friends who’d never been and they loved it and he does ribs of his own all the time.

Good thing I didn’t see this first or I probably would have skipped it since we hadn’t been in a while.

Also didn’t notice the “B” rating on the door until after or I would have passed on it as I usually check inspection reports where I eat. Manager said it was a bogus rating from when the restaurant was closed during covid and they were outside only. Said inspector said $500 and they’d change it. She said no, re-inspect.

“Mrs.”

View attachment 1176192 Those ribs actually look moist, mine were dry and sauceless, I see that they even gave you some sauce on the side - I had to ask for mine. They've also changed the beans, there used to be small chunks of meat in them and they had a smokey taste to them, not anymore, in fact, they were quite bland.

 

[DWC]

I grew up and live in Chino. It was always a treat to go there. We went an about 3-4 years ago for lunch. It was ok. Not worth the money. Sad, but like it was said, I think a lot of places are going the same way. Costs too much to run a business, something is going to suffer : the product, the service or both. 🫤

Same here, that was the fancy dinner growing up. That or cask n cleaver off central. Favorite Mexican food place growing up was across for Joeys. Can’t remember the name of it. Burned down in the late 80’s i believe. Spent many 3-4th periods there.

 

[bilz]

Can't speak for Joeys, but our local bbq joint Chris n Pitts is suppose to close this year. Been going there 53years that I can remember. Sadly I think the new generations taste have changed also. Way more styles of food to choose. Back in the day it was steak,bbq,italian, chinese some japanese and mexican. Now there's stuff I can't pronounce. Every town has a china buffet.

 

[Bobby V]

Can't speak for Joeys, but our local bbq joint Chris n Pitts is suppose to close this year. Been going there 53years that I can remember. Sadly I think the new generations taste have changed also. Way more styles of food to choose. Back in the day it was steak,bbq,italian, chinese some japanese and mexican. Now there's stuff I can't pronounce. Every town has a china buffet.

Which Chris n Pitts is closing. I grew up in Bellflower and went there with my parents.

 

[bilz]

Whittier on Washington bl.

 

[lenmann]

Same here, that was the fancy dinner growing up. That or cask n cleaver off central. Favorite Mexican food place growing up was across for Joeys. Can’t remember the name of it. Burned down in the late 80’s i believe. Spent many 3-4th periods there.

Favorite Mexican food place growing up was across for Joeys.---- Rancho Grande if I recall correctly. We lived around the corner on Norton in the early 90's. Needless to say between Joeys and RG I gained a few pounds...

 

[DWC]

Favorite Mexican food place growing up was across for Joeys.---- Rancho Grande if I recall correctly. We lived around the corner on Norton in the early 90's. Needless to say between Joeys and RG I gained a few pounds...

That’s the one. Couldn’t remember the name for the life of me. We lived off Orgren near Newman elementary

 

[TrollerDave]

Favorite Mexican food place growing up was across for Joeys.---- Rancho Grande if I recall correctly. We lived around the corner on Norton in the early 90's. Needless to say between Joeys and RG I gained a few pounds...

Same here, that was the fancy dinner growing up. That or cask n cleaver off central. Favorite Mexican food place growing up was across for Joeys. Can’t remember the name of it. Burned down in the late 80’s i believe. Spent many 3-4th periods there.

Yes, El Rancho Grande. I never went there. My friends would go there for lunch in high school.
Our go to for mexican food was Plaza Guadalajara on Central and Philadelphia. Now it’s a dentist office I think. Same shopping center had Tony’s Spunky Steer which was my dad’s favorite. I think it was originally Steer and Stein.

 

[DWC]

Yes, El Rancho Grande. I never went there. My friends would go there for lunch in high school.
Our go to for mexican food was Plaza Guadalajara on Central and Philadelphia. Now it’s a dentist office I think. Same shopping center had Tony’s Spunky Steer which was my dad’s favorite. I think it was originally Steer and Stein.

Plaza was our go to just out of high school. Burrito enchilada style and a few pitchers of beer. Put a few dimes in the juke box and it’d go all night.

 

[wishiknew]

Ghost kitchen is the way of the future

 

[wishiknew]

No more than 4 employees all delivery

 

[chvynhra]

Plaza for the enchilada burrito was what I grew up on! I miss the original decor before they tried to go all fancy and closed.

 

[bilz]

No more than 4 employees all delivery

Tried to order pizza in placentia on Saturday. One place was closed, one you had to order on line, but the earliest delivery I could get was Sunday 11:00 am. Ended up at a wing place with just one person working.

 

[Javajoe]

 

[wzuber]

Joey's BBQ in Chino has always been a go-to for my family, I can honestly say I have never had a bad meal from there and I've been going there since the mid 80's. Well, last night changed all that - My wife got a salad with her dinner (that used to be included), which has always been crisp and fresh, but last night it was kinda wilted and the beets (the wife likes them), were brown and soggy. Then came the food - I got the the 3 meats, a beef rib, some baby back ribs, and some sliced pork. The ribs were tough and dry, they didn't even put any BBQ sauce on the ribs or even put any in a cup, I had to ask for it. The sliced pork was some sort of flavorless ham-like dried meat. My wife got the half chicken and hers was all dried out, not even the sauce could rehydrate it. When our server (who never refilled our drinks or even asked how the food was shortly after it was served, and it was a pretty slow night last night), came back at the end of the meal asked if everything was okay I told her, no. I told her how we've been coming here for over 30 years and have never had a bad meal here until this one. She looked surprised that someone would even say such a thing, I told her that sometimes there's an off night, and maybe an item or two isn't done right, but this time it was everything. She said that she's see what she could do and came back and said that they'd comp us a dessert. We got a bread pudding on the house, an $80 meal and comped a $7 dessert, almost 10% off the bill. The manager never came out to talk to us and 10 minutes after I asked for a plastic bag for the leftovers, she never came back. My wife and I both looked at each other and said - I'm not going eat the leftovers, are you? We just left them on the table.

It's too bad Joey's used to be an awesome restaurant, now they just don't seem to care.

At the price of food dining out these days if you have a truely bad meal as you described just ask for the manager or just go find him and ask him to come to your table. Ask him if he is interested in hearing how his restaurant is doing. Watch and listen to his reaction, that will tell you everything. Regardless of his answer, explain your dis-satisfaction with your meal and tell this is un-acceptable at the price point being charged. It's not complaining, it's informing, educating and supporting them in doing a better job. Most people just leavead, post bad reviews on the internet and stop returning for another opportunity to have a better experience. The consumer is part of the feedback loop to the successful product, restaurant, auto manuf, etc. 1 bad meal in 30yrs and ya bail on them? I hope your wife or kids don't piss ya off and ya just decide to not come home when run out for some "smokes and 6 pack". Lol

 

[Brokeboatin221]

Bills villager in Blue Jay supposedly permanently closed as of yesterday. They couldn’t keep any cooks. Sad as the place has been around since like the 60’s.

The Cottage in Rimforest closed like a month ago and isn’t scheduled to reopen until like January or February next year as some new place. This place was randomly closing at all hours of the day due to staffing issues that had been going on for at least a year.

My opinion is the govt handouts changed the low income workers, and now they either think they should be paid a lot more (which just results in higher priced food as costs are always passed on, and kills the restaurant via greed), or they’d rather stay home and draw free money and not have to work for it.

I live on the mountain 2 and both made me sad however the Cottage is reopening at Blondies in a few weeks up in Arrowbear and will be called Victorias but may not have pizza which I loved. Everything else should be there though. The new cottage is owned buy the black bear guy in. Crestline and I haven’t heard anything great along with no breakfast so I will keep my money.

I don’t know if you’d been to Bills recently on the weekend but every Airbnb flatlander up here found out about it and weekends they were slammed. Bill and Linda got burnt out and stopped doing dinner and taco Tuesday to “relax” some but it still wasn’t enough. They retired and good for them however we lost 2 iconic restaurants in town the same month pretty much
As for Joeys never been but like said staffing is a problem for a lot of places and work ethic is at an all time low. People just don’t care anymore sadly. In the restaurant biz if the boss is away the children will play. Now a days I try to just cook most of my own stuff that way if it sucks I shame myself

 

[CarolynandBob]

We don't go out to eat much, because of my wife's celiac disease. Have been so disappointed everywhere we have went for the last 2 months. Except Coopers Hawk. Still good service, but they have raised their prices twice in the last 3 months. I get that their cost are going up, so they have to pass it on, but at some point the food just isn't worth the cost.

Sunday I decided to try again. Went to a nice Greek place near the beach. Service was ok, but the food wasn't. Wife was disappointed, I was pissed. Bill was $70 for lunch.

I was grumbling about it later and my wife yelled at me. My wife doesn't yell. If she is pissed she will let you know with a look, which she may use once a year. Anyway, she said I told you 3 weeks ago that your cooking is so much better than any meal we have ever had at a restaurant.(except barbosso's) Why the fuck do you keep doing this to yourself? I said I like to take you out. She said I get that and appreciate that, but stop. So no more dining out for us until this shit changes.

Although, we do have one last place we are eating out this Friday. We have friends moving away and are going as a goodbye dinner. We are going to Cafe Barbosso. Place is owned by Joe DiMaggio's son or nephew (can't remember which). Food is outstanding and he is a riot. We sit at the chefs table and the stuff he cooks up is out of this world. I am sure I won't be disappoint there. Just too expensive to eat there a lot. Chef's table is $100 per person and wine pairing is I think $90 person, so when you are done it is almost $500. We may go twice a year.

 

[Sleek-Jet]

Ghost kitchen is the way of the future

No more than 4 employees all delivery

I hope not, most food doesn't "deliver" very well. After doing the door dash thing surviving COVID, I'll only get the traditional delivery options now. Tired of luke warm Mexican food and soggy hamburgers.

 

[wzuber]

I hope not, most food doesn't "deliver" very well. After doing the door dash thing surviving COVID, I'll only get the traditional delivery options now. Tired of luke warm Mexican food and soggy hamburgers.

Robert Irvine on the food network did a excerpt on this in a episode during covid where he goes in to help save a restaurant. Proper container ventilation of the hot steamy food was critical along with timing and getting the food delivered quickly. That's a very challenging aspect.

 

[Done-it-again]

Can't speak for Joeys, but our local bbq joint Chris n Pitts is suppose to close this year. Been going there 53years that I can remember. Sadly I think the new generations taste have changed also. Way more styles of food to choose. Back in the day it was steak,bbq,italian, chinese some japanese and mexican. Now there's stuff I can't pronounce. Every town has a china buffet.

Which Chris n Pitts is closing. I grew up in Bellflower and went there with my parents.

Grew up going to Chris n pitts with my parents. It’s one of those places that brings back memories. Haven’t been in 4-5 yrs and will have to make a trip now. Their onion and pepper side dish is money.

 

[Cole Trickle]

Eating out has always been tough for me and it has gotten worse over the past couple years.

I consider myself an above average home chef so I am typically very disappointed when I go out and eat. It's very rare that I am impressed or even happy eating out anymore. It has gotten so expensive that it seems the norm for the 3 of us with a couple drinks is closing in on $150 after tip. Cooking at home we can do alot for $50 let alone $150.

I think the only thing that we go out for is sushi where I think its worth the price.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Eating out has always been tough for me and it has gotten worse over the past couple years.

I consider myself an above average home chef so I am typically very disappointed when I go out and eat. It's very rare that I am impressed or even happy eating out anymore. It has gotten so expensive that it seems the norm for the 3 of us with a couple drinks is closing in on $150 after tip. Cooking at home we can do alot for $50 let alone $150.

I think the only thing that we go out for is sushi where I think its worth the price.

Agreed. We went to Big Shots on Sunday and I was impressed actually. Food was good, drinks were good!

 

[Cole Trickle]

Agreed. We went to Big Shots on Sunday and I was impressed actually. Food was good, drinks were good!

What time...lol

We were there at noon

I agree food is pretty decent. Onion rings are great and i liked there burger as well.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

What time...lol

We were there at noon

I agree food is pretty decent. Onion rings are great and i liked there burger as well.

4 PM. We gotta go with you guys next time. We were there with our friends visiting from So Cal.

 

[HALLETT BOY]

Years ago there was a BBQ place in Somis outside of Camarillo on the back way to Santa Paula , it was called Busters . Big oak pit out front , grilling Tri Tip and ribs , put it on locally baked crusty roll with his homemade sauce , best ever ! What do you guys think about Rebel BBQ in Havasu ?

 

[bilz]

This is the last week for Chris n Pitts Whittier. Just had lunch with my son. Still good as ever. Sad to see it go.

 

[MagicMan]

Joey's BBQ in Chino has always been a go-to for my family, I can honestly say I have never had a bad meal from there and I've been going there since the mid 80's. Well, last night changed all that - My wife got a salad with her dinner (that used to be included), which has always been crisp and fresh, but last night it was kinda wilted and the beets (the wife likes them), were brown and soggy. Then came the food - I got the the 3 meats, a beef rib, some baby back ribs, and some sliced pork. The ribs were tough and dry, they didn't even put any BBQ sauce on the ribs or even put any in a cup, I had to ask for it. The sliced pork was some sort of flavorless ham-like dried meat. My wife got the half chicken and hers was all dried out, not even the sauce could rehydrate it. When our server (who never refilled our drinks or even asked how the food was shortly after it was served, and it was a pretty slow night last night), came back at the end of the meal asked if everything was okay I told her, no. I told her how we've been coming here for over 30 years and have never had a bad meal here until this one. She looked surprised that someone would even say such a thing, I told her that sometimes there's an off night, and maybe an item or two isn't done right, but this time it was everything. She said that she's see what she could do and came back and said that they'd comp us a dessert. We got a bread pudding on the house, an $80 meal and comped a $7 dessert, almost 10% off the bill. The manager never came out to talk to us and 10 minutes after I asked for a plastic bag for the leftovers, she never came back. My wife and I both looked at each other and said - I'm not going eat the leftovers, are you? We just left them on the table.

It's too bad Joey's used to be an awesome restaurant, now they just don't seem to care.

I moved to Chino 2010, tried it once, was trash then. We had the exact same experience you described.

 

[TimeBandit]

Years ago there was a BBQ place in Somis outside of Camarillo on the back way to Santa Paula , it was called Busters . Big oak pit out front , grilling Tri Tip and ribs , put it on locally baked crusty roll with his homemade sauce , best ever ! What do you guys think about Rebel BBQ in Havasu ?

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[TPC]

Bear Pit out here sold a few short years ago. Been there forever. Fantastic.
Any successful BBQ joint owner will tell you consistency is essential. It is. It's a BFD.
The Bear Pit has really gone down hill. We quit going as have so many others.

 

[TPC]

Speaking of BBQ:

 

[RVR SWPR]

Years ago there was a BBQ place in Somis outside of Camarillo on the back way to Santa Paula , it was called Busters . Big oak pit out front , grilling Tri Tip and ribs , put it on locally baked crusty roll with his homemade sauce , best ever ! What do you guys think about Rebel BBQ in Havasu ?

Last BUSTERS location years ago was in Saticoy. First Saticoy location was on the right going north. Several moves around the county over the years back to Saticoy in the old barn like buildings painted white. Always wondered what became of Buster,the best BBQ, rolls,sauces and hospitality,really had it going.