Saturday, September 26, 2015

Willie's Brew and Que

Willie's Brew and Que is a BBQ restaurant and sports bar located in Yards Park, a short walk from Nationals Park. Willie's focuses on the art of low and slow barbecue cooking with charbroilers and custom-made smokers to churn out authentic North Carolina barbecue and other items with influences from across the country. The lively sports atmosphere is a favorite for local alumni groups - but I would steer clear.  Closest Metro is Navy Yard. 

Velveeta-esque Mac & Cheese
We stopped into Willie's after a Nats Game, and half the restaurant was overtaken by an Old Miss Alumni group.  We were able to get a small table on the opposite side, right near the main entrance.  We ordered drinks and food.  Water arrived while we waited, but no other beverages.  Once our food arrived, we asked a server about our drinks.  She quipped back "The bar is just too busy with the alumni group right now."  What?! It's not like they bought out the entire place - there were still majority of regular patrons.  Why should we be ignored?  It was an absurd excuse and turned us off.  Furthermore, the food arrived without enough silverware.  I sat waiting quite a while for a fork, before giving up and walking back to the kitchen window area myself, to grab a clean fork from the waiters/busboys' prep area.  Of course, my food was cold by the time I ate it.  Even if it was hot, I am not sure I would have liked it much better.  The macaroni & cheese tasted like it was made with straight up Velveeta. It was far from the gourmet-looking pictures on their website.  Bleh - such a poor waste of carbs.
 
 

Keith ordered the Brisket, which came with a choice of two sides.  He chose corn bread and the Parmesan Brussels sprouts.  The meat was slapped on a piece of paper, allowing all the juices to run out and leaving the meat very tough.  The corn bread was flat and flavorless, while the sprouts were undercooked.  Willie's provided some of the saddest barbeque fare I have ever seen or tasted.  We expected a little better, since this is the latest restaurant from Xavier Cervera, who owns many in the neighborhood.  Needless to say, we will not return.
 
Total Rating: 2.08
Food: 1.5, Price: 3, Service: 1, Ambience: 3, Accessibility: 5

Willie's Brew & Cue Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato
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