Awesome little place. Feels like gradmas house but with better BBQ. Their spicey sauce is amazing but be warned. Hot means hot in this place. The brisket was my favorite. Give em a try.
I must admit the food was much better than I had heard over the years of me living here in Hayward I’ve never gone to Carmen‘s because of Everett and Jones has always been a favorite however since they closed the next best thing(closest) is Carmens.I was totally impressed however I have a major issue: if you have an item on the menu,there should be no reason that you won’t sell that item but Carmen seems to have a policy that they won’t sell desert à la cart is this a “black thing”?They state they may run out for customers want to spend/bye the family meals which include the cobbler and they don’t wanna short them à la missed the sell so there’s the reason and that’s their policy and they’re sticking to it.I remember when I was a young teen and I went to a very popular place in Oakland who claim to be “The Pie Queen” but refused to sell me whole pies for that same reason…….SMH!!i’m just now realizing I’m having flashbacks??
I've lived near this place since 2008. First this establishment seems to think they're the only bbq place in town. They seem to think their bland food and high prices are worth the attitude given. When the one young man is there seems that their credit card machine doesn't work and it's cash only..EVERYTIME HE IS WORKING.I would suggest looking elsewhere if you want good bbq.
Fist time trying itBrisket & Mac is superb. Almost betta than mines ?That Medium sauce though ?It’s expensive & that’s the only downside. Other than that ? Absolutely loved this first try. Geez & they’ve forgotten to put my greens in the bag $47.00 in too ,Thanks !
Can't say enough great things about this place. BBQ is great, Jerk Chicken is out of this world. The owner Carmen is one of the most wonderful, warm, genuine people i have met.
Food is good and the place looks clean. I recommend the pork ribs, and the beef. The chicken pieces are too small and dry.
The jerk chicken was decent. The sides were very good except the potatoes salad. Greens were good, mac and cheese is good, very cheesy, and yams were good.
Love it great bbq and dessert is a must.
Came here after a work conference. First off, expensive. A two meat combination plate with a drink will run you nearly $30, and it's definitely a meal for 1. I got a combination Brisket/Pork Rib, with accompanied potato salad and bread.First off, bread. Not a roll. Just a few diagnol cuts of right out of the bag wheat bread. No butter, nothing.The potato salad. A small ice cream scoop worth of (potato salad?) that tastes like something out of a big tub from middle school.The brisket was okay. Fatty, but cooked well enough to be edible. Outside is VERY crusted, so if you're not up for a chew, you're SoL. Not a ton of flavor, despite how fatty it is.The ribs, where do I start. Dry, flavorless, more fat than meat, and definitely far from fresh. The rack they were cut off looked like it's been sitting around since yesterday. Difficult to eat, unappetizing, and far from tasty.Lastly, the barbecue sauce. Or should I say smoky barbecue liquid? It maybe had a good flavor in the first batch, but this sauce (mild) was as liquid as my beer. When transferring to a takeout container, it was impossible to scrape over with a fork, could only pour it out the corner of the plate.I love barbecue, i love supporting small business, but I did not love this restsurant.
Very disappointed in this family own restaurant.I have come in a couple of times and ordered sides because I'm a vegetarian. Today I was told that I couldn't order sides due to a store policy.Apparently I was told more then once acording to the cashier.Cant help but feel discriminated against and as a black owned business I expected better.I will have to take my business elsewhere.I really liked the corn bread, especially after a long hard day's work and while washing clothes.