Smolik's Smokehouse - Mathis

I can't recommend any of the food. This is most definitely not pit BBQ. The brisket was 80% fat and tasted like a gas stove. Gravy was flavorless flour paste. Barely warm food let alone hot. At least day old buns. The one thing that was good and had flavor was the cup of BBQ sauce that came with the food. I didn't complain to them but would never, ever go back. I don't know how they get such great reviews. I'm truly stumped. Service: Dine in

Not good bbq. Wouldn't go back. Meal type: Dinner Price per person: $20–30 Food: 1 Service: 1 Atmosphere: 1

Nice place sliced sandwich was good. Service: Take out Meal type: Dinner Price per person: $10–20 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5

Went to Mathis to see the solar eclipse. Total group : 9 people. Although it's three different groups (paying separately), it was considered one party because we were going to sit at one table. Automatic 18% gratuity. Ordered: Brisket and sausage plate : brisket is a bit on the fatty side (should have trimmed it more). Sausage was good. Chicken tender (kids) with two sides: nice sized order for kids plate. Tenders were crispy. 2 Sides portions were a bit small (3 onion rings) (small handful of fries). Baked potatoes: medium small. A bit over cooked dried out. Brisket platter (2 sides): Brisket (same : on the fatty side). Mac and cheese was fine the kids. Service : was good. Came to check up on the table 3 times. Gave bowl of water to the dog.

Why only three stars when the food is excellent? A number of reasons: Price is up there. We plopped down just under $130 for five adults and two kids. You stand in line and order at the counter (like McD 's), but when it 's time to pay, they pretend it 's a Please wait to be seated restaurant. Only after we sat down did I notice the automatic 18% gratuity added to the bill. Did the lady point this out? Nope. So we added tip to a heavily tipped total. This is completely unscrupulous. Waitress got at least 25% tip, and didn 't even have to take the order. This is a small company, so she 's probably getting a normal wage, not $2.13/hr; so how the devil is the auto 18% justified? Double wrong when they don 't bring it up. What 's your rebuttal, Smolik 's? I 'll just have to drive out to Rudy 's.