Smolik's Smokehouse - Mathis

I cannot recommend any of the food here. This is definitely not true pit BBQ. The brisket was mostly fat—about 80%—and tasted like it was cooked on a gas stove. The gravy was just a bland flour paste. The food was barely warm, if that, and the buns seemed at least a day old. The only redeeming aspect was the cup of BBQ sauce that came with the meal, which actually had some flavor. I didn't raise any complaints while I was there, but I will never return. I don't understand how this place has received such great reviews; I'm genuinely perplexed. Service: Dine-in.

The barbecue was disappointing, and I wouldn't return. I had dinner, and the price was around $20–30. The food, service, and atmosphere all received a rating of 1 out of 5.

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.