Smalley’s Roundup Restaurant

This is quite possibly the worst barbecue I’ve ever had. The sauce is terrible, and the sides are worse. An idiot can make good tri tip, but somehow Smalley’s has figured out how to screw it up! The tri tip May as well have been beef jerky it was so tough only that would be an insult to beef jerky! The first time I had it it tasted rancid and I just thought that perhaps The meat had gone bad and they didn’t notice it before they cooked it. When the waiter came to ask if everything was okay, I said actually no, the meat taste rancid. He offered to bring me more tri tip, As if another piece of the same cow would taste any different! To make the situation worse, I had the combo platter and the chicken was about as dry as shoe leather!
I gave them the benefit of the doubt and tried it again at a catered event and it was just as bad. I don’t know where they get their meat, but it was seriously disgusting! I would give them zero stars, but Unilocal doesn’t let you do that. If you want decent barbecue in Salinas, try Salinas city barbecue which is in the original Smalley’s location.

Food was decent. I would give it a 6 out of 10. The reason I wouldn’t come back is the service. It was empty, and it took the lady about 5 min to even come out from the back and seat us. Who knows what she was doing. Maybe watching tv in back? Then after we had our food she disappeared to the back again and didn’t come back until she brought us the check. So of course, we wanted refills and wanted to add on to the order because she had given us the wrong soup. But no one to be found. Very disappointed with this place! Next time I’ll just head to Salinas BBQ or Famous Daves! I’ll pass on this one. Good service is not their priority.

Too expensive. Not impressed with food, atmosphere, or staff. Sad. I would not recommend it. We drive past it to go elsewhere.

Decent food, reasonable prices and large portions. I have not been here for a while but recently got an the «lite» pork spareribs dinner. That was plenty of food. They were not the best ribs I have ever had but not bad. They were kind of fatty and not as tender as I would like. That came with salad, baked potato and sherbet for desert. All the accompaniments were just fine and so was the service.

In past visits I was very pleased with the offerings at Smalley’s Our last visit was lacking. I had their sampler platter. This included a chicken breast, pork ribs and some tri-​tip. The chicken was overcooked and dry, the pork ribs were tasty but not hot– just lukewarm. The tri-​tip was pretty good but also not very hot when served. All in all it was disappointing.

I use to love this place. It was the spot for my family and I for years, but they changed the cook or something changed and the food does not taste the same since 2005 – 2006. So I haven’t been there over 10 years. I’m optimistic my friend invited me to the restaurant and I agreed May 2016. I ordered the shrimp plate (about 5 shrimps) bread & a baked potato. As I was about to grab a shrimp I noticed there was something blonde stuck to the shrimp (I am a brunette and friend too). At first I thought it was a fuzz lint, but when I pulled it was a long blonde hair with pink.
I called the waiter over showed her what was on my plate. The waiter didn’t want me to speak of it and quickly grabbed the plate. A minute later came back and asked if I wanted the same potato and I said yes. About 6 minutes later the waiter brought my plate of food with no hair. I didn’t get an apology. I am not returning even though I get invited. The customer service is poor and the cook or someone has to wear hair nets. Disappointed again and disgusted.

My family and I have loved this place for years. Great food, reasonable prices and great customer service.

I normally don’t get BBQ, but I do like a great steak. Smalley’s is, by far, the best place in Salinas to get a New York Steak !

good sized burger a little overcooked. Red’s across street has a 10.00 burger with 3 patties fries and a grilled cheese on top! so only been to Smalleys once. hear their ribs are good, i just usually go to bankers casino due to being cheap!

Cold ribs, steak and bread. Potatoes were hot though. Disappointed to say the least. Service was good, was looking forward to a hot meal.

Best Bbq in the area. Pork chops are my favorite but you can’t go wrong. The sherbet at the end was included. The staff was nice and even though busy took great care of us. The parking and wait is much better at the new location. I see another review that didn’t like the bbq sauce. I bought a bottle and took some home. Loved it.

Food just doesn’t seem to ever be good.
They smother everything in the BBQ sauce and the sauce is terrible.
Ever since they moved, it’s not the same.
Won’t be back

Not the same. I used to love Smalley’s back in the day when they were at the old location. Since they moved a heard a lot of people tell me how bad the food is since they moved. Well I had to try it myself and yes I will never go back it’s horrible.

It has been a long time since I’ve had food this bad. Worst BBQ ever! I bet the food is prepackaged and simply reheated.

Stumbled upon this place looking to have dinner in Salinas
Portions are huge, even «the lighter side» order was too big to finish in one sitting. Even the brownie we got to go was for more than one. BBQ sauce on the ribs was good and prices very reasonable for all you get.

Sadly this place was a huge disappointment. Came here for dinner on a Sunday evening. Stood at the door at least 5 minutes before even being acknowledged.
That’s not to say we weren’t noticed. At least 2 servers walked by out front and the same woman walked by in the back portion behind the front counter. She looked right at us yet couldn’t bother to smile or simply say «Hi, I’ll be right with you». Clearly she was a little busy, but that doesn’t mean it’s okay to be rude.
By the time she bothered to come out to seat us we were already walking out the door and will never go in again.
I did check in while we were waiting so long and got some sort of a coupon so if you’re hell-​bent on eating here check in and save some. If that’s your plan more power to you. We will never be back.

Overpriced dry over cooked steak. Almost always empty; no mystery there! Bad food, bad service (the owner/​manager is an @$$hole), and the prices are laughable. I ordered a steak dinner. The portions of sides were ridiculously small. I wanted to eat meat, not leather. After eating I had a cigarette in the parking lot where the owner told me to get away. Too bad for him it was public property. This restaurant needs to fold. Avoid at all costs! Home Town Buffet makes a better steak… And that’s sad!

Smalley’s has dropped in quality dramatically over since they moved location. Food is overpriced compared to the taste an quality. If you want BBQ Salinas City BBQ is the place to be.

Delicious food, enormous servings, the staff was super friendly — you almost want to invite them to sit down and eat a meal with you. The hamburgers, the steaks and the barbecued meat are all equally tasty.

I’m here again. But I’ll post about my previous, visit.
My boyfriend and I walk in 30 minutes to closing. I’m a little hesitant to dine in because I know everyone wants to go home.
Hostess– super welcoming. Waiter didn’t even rush us, food came out at a decent amount of time in between salad, and appetizers.
I order the 8oz yew York. It’s cooked just the way I order it. It’s juicy till the last bite.
Most meals come with salad or clam chowder, your entrée (huge portions) baked potato/​fries, garlic bread, and a small bowl (saucer sized) chili. And sherbet, it’s perfect. It’s when you want something sweet but your too full, it’s light and delicious. Hits the spot.
Remember when I said it was 30 mins to closing… They’re still letting people in 5 min for closing and welcoming them with open arms.
I love this place. There’s nothing that irritates me as a patron than having attitude thrown at me when coming in close to closing time. I’ve never had bad service here EVER! This place loves their customers.
I have been eating from smalleys for years. And I’ll keep coming back!