98 BBQ (vs. Jambones)

We love to order take-out from 98 BBQ. The feast is fabulous!
We've been to Jambones and liked the food, but got much more from 98 BBQ for the price.
I said this about the pizza between PBTS and Enzo's:
Two different places, two different atmospheres. Love them both!

oh my gosh bchtavir - that is the most horrifying thing i have ever read in my 25 years of restaurant life...

to know that most of your friends consider my place to have terrible attitudes towards our guests and that even i have a bad attitude towards my guests just simply makes me want to vomit right now. i am actually trembling at this moment as i read and reply to this.

i actually spend every waking professional moment encouraging my staff to treat our guests with smiles and happiness and respect and certainly feel like at least i as the leader of my staff can accomplish this. and to think now that i am completely failing at this is freaking me the %$#& out.

there is absolutely no possible way for me to remain in business if my reputation is for poor attitudes towards my very lifeblood and that our service is also considered to be unacceptable. wow. besides 50 million versions of apologies - i really am left completely speechless. i have trained and learned and worked and studied and try so hard to be successful and for so many to finally have the chance to sample all my experience and effort - and come away disgusted makes me just want to close up the doors and change careers.

all i can now think to do is to share your comments with each member of my staff individually and than convene as a group and figure out how to change our reputation. i may even consider closing down for a couple of days and start over with a retraining process and complete a 180 degree turn.

i cant offer any monetary refund to so many people but if you would please allow us the chance to change and then please give us the opportunity to give you a warm welcome and pleasant interaction during what i hope will be a unique and value oriented experience.

that is all i can hope for.

i am so sorry

with my deepest sincereity

scott alderson
850-699-0180
scottalderson@mac.com
3906 us hwy 98 west suite 10
srb fl 32459

please feel free to contact me personally with any more comments or suggestions

Scott,

I've been to Jambone at least once every two weeks since you opened this summer, and have witnessed the growth and changes you've made, and I have to tell you that I have never had a problem with any of your staff. I've been in early for dinner, stayed late for drinks & music, and thoroughly enjoyed every experience. The servers have always been friendly, and several times they have gone far above & beyond expectations.

The only negative experience (very minor) I've ever had was one time I had to wait at the bar for about 10 minutes to place a drink order. It was a night when y'all were slammed, and I made a comment about it to the bartender, and his response was genuine and apologetic. Otherwise, the service has always been quick and I've enjoyed every moment from the time I walk in until I leave.

I just wanted to take a moment to let you know all this so you keep some perspective & balance - I understand your concern when you hear comments like the ones at the beginning of this thread, and they definitely need to be addressed. But you have to know that you and your team are also doing something right; I know many many people who enjoy your establishment as much as I do and have always had the same positive experiences there.

The only change I would request is to bring back the Thai wings - they were my main sustenance this summer! And please don't close! Jambone has quickly become a favorite for so many of us, we are so grateful for all that you offer.

bchtravlr - I appreciate you sharing your thoughts, although I can't see a good reason for having to bring up negatives about a business instead of stopping with your positives about the other. Kind of a broad swipe at a business that probably doesn't deserve it.

Good businesses do love feedback. Personally I think it's best to address the owner or manager privately. This will help them improve and can actually make you feel good about yourself, which is a nice bonus.

Since you now have Scott's contact info I hope that you will help him out privately with any specifics. I know for a fact that he will use any valid criticism as a chance for improvement. ;-)

Scott,

I justed wanted to say that I feel you do have a good thing there. I believe that you do care deeply and go out of your way to keep people happy. I also like how you make positive comments about other food places and even encourage people to try them out as well. You look at them as neighbors not competition.

I go to both 98 BBQ and Jambones. I like them both as there are so many varieties available. I do have to admit that at times, I have not been pleased with the guys taking the orders. Sometimes it seems that they are being bothered by having to take my order. The girls have always been great.

My biggest complaint is sometimes you order one of your great burgers or hot dogs and the grilled buns are burned. Yuck.

These are just minor little things though. Easy to fix. You do a very good job and I wish you continued success!

98 BBQ has great BBQ at a great price! My experience with Jambones has been cited earlier and I issued an apology for part of my complaint that the owner felt was unfounded. Since BBQ just as good or better as at Jambones, IMO, can be found at 98 BBQ, I have not been back to Jambones nor do I plan to return. This is strictly a personal opinion. I call them as I see them. I wish you and your team all the best.

We've dined at JamBone's often, and have never had a problem with service. Just the opposite, in fact. The staff has been friendly and helpful each time. Scott went out of his way for me, preparing a Christmas ham in advance of other orders so I could bring it to Christmas dinner out of town.

Regarding the price, I would expect JamBone to be a bit higher than other bbq places. They serve organic meat, which as everyone knows, costs more. For some of us who are careful about our diets for health reasons, this is a pretty big deal. I'm not sure where else I can get deliciously prepared organic meat in sowal at this or any price. We think the value at JamBone is fantastic, and will continue to be loyal customers.

I had a jambone burger last night as a matter of fact...and it remains, to me, the best burger in SoWal. This bar/restaurant, which is already a great spot, will only get better the longer it is here. Love the darts. The service was excellent. just my 2 cents...

Scott:

While I like 98 BBQ very much, I have come to appreciate your unique flavors. I think they are among the best in the area. My wife lived in Memphis for 16 years and I am originally from Kansas city, Mo...two of THE most famous BBQ capitals in the country.

Maybe some of the posters received service from the guy we spoke about the last time My wife and I were in there. I think you know who I am speaking about...not a nice guy. But he is long gone.

I have received nothing but the best of service and superb food every time I have been to your place. To get the gigantic quantity and organic quality of food we get for $11 a plate is simply amazing for this area.

Everyone has different tastes and expectations. South Walton has a good thing going in Jambone. Let's try and encourage this kind of entrepreneurship rather than insult it. Use private messages for negative comments. You can bet that local business owners will implement every suggestion that will make their customers happy. And you just might have gotten a coupon for some free goodies for doing so. What did you get for doing it in a negative SoWal post?

My wife and I will remain loyal customers for as long as you are here. And keep in mind...you just can't make some people happy no matter what you do.

See you next week,
Danny Burns
Inlet Beach (full time resident)

In all my years of living here, I have not been to 98 Barbeque until yesterday. Since they won the recent gumbo contest, and I am a big fan of gumbo, I thought I would try it out. The pork and gumbo was fantastic. Even after splitting a plate, we had to take some home due to their being too much to eat! In addition, the service and attentiveness by everyone there was great. I will be back and tell all my friends!

I have enjoyed the flavor and quality of Jambones ever since they opened too, but many friends have complained about the lack of service and poor attitude of both the owner and staff . It is at the lower end of my scale of service expectations, but I have not had to deal with the some of the quoted comments many freinds have related. So they are on my list of where to go late at night

Jambones has great food, and is open late, but if you want both great food and service with a smile, I encourage you to try 98 BBQ if you have not been there recently!

I think that if someone posts a negative review or complaint against a business, one of two things MUST happen before it is allowed to be seen:

1. It should be required the poster reveal THEIR identity or
2. If the poster doesn't reveal their identity then they should not be allowed to use the businesses name.

Who is to say this negative public criticism isn't from someone directly affiliated or related to the competing restaurant mentioned?? I think it stinks that this kind of post is even allowed if we don't know who is the one posting it because it DOES affect the reputation of the one being called out. What a shame.

I think that if someone posts a negative review or complaint against a business, one of two things MUST happen before it is allowed to be seen:

1. It should be required the poster reveal THEIR identity or
2. If the poster doesn't reveal their identity then they should not be allowed to use the businesses name.

Who is to say this negative public criticism isn't from someone directly affiliated or related to the competing restaurant mentioned?? I think it stinks that this kind of post is even allowed if we don't know who is the one posting it because it DOES affect the reputation of the one being called out. What a shame.

OOPS - forgot to mention that I have eaten at BOTH establishments and they are both EXCELLENT BBQ! You can't go wrong at either. Two totally different styles of BBQ but service in BOTH Jambone and 98 BBQ have been nothing short of stellar every time I've been to both. I really love that Jambone serves free-range, hormone-steriod free meats which would make it more expensive but it's not that much! And the portions sizes at Jambone are not small - I never finish my plate and I have a big appetite! 98 BBQ serves excellent BBQ pork.

I have admiration for both restaurants as they are surviving in this crazy downturn. Let's support BOTH - we need BOTH. Now shush all the complaining and let's get us some BBQ

I love Jambones. I am not a BBQ fan, so I will not go out of my way to go to any particular place for BBQ. I love Jambones because OF THE SERVICE and the FUNN! It is a wonderful place to meet friends and enjoy some good music! I had the Beer battered shrimp the other week and it was EXCELLENT! The shrimp were cooked to perfection!
All I can add is the attitude of a patron can sometimes color their perception of an establishment.

Two different restaurants with two different types of BBQ. I enjoy them both for different reasons. I will say that both have equally friendly and attentive staff.

Jambones

BRISKET TACOS...

served with a smile!

Jambone has great food, prompt and courteous service, good prices, and clean bathrooms.

My only issues were the parking lot paving (which has been fixed) and that when they move the couches for the band you can't play darts (this is probably a good thing for the general public as my aim is a bit iffy w/o drinking)!

I love Jambone! It seems people get so nasty about restaurants compared to other businesses. I feel for these restaurant workers/owners that have to try to please everyone. People are so picky sometimes with about their food and service they expect. It's hard to please everyone.

My sister-in-law is a retired nurse, and she decided after a few monts of retirement to wait tables part-time at a restaurant near her house. She did it for a few months and quit. She always tells us about how mean (and ignorant) some of the customers were. The funny thing about it was that most of her customers were people she knew from her neighborhood. She says that her neighbors look down on her now because she was a waitress, even though she is a retired nurse and is more financially secure than most of them.


Also, I second the earlier request for bringing back the Thai wings!

I've eaten at both restaurants... and enjoyed my dining experiences. It would be unfair to try to compare them in an "apples vs. apples" comparison. I think the owners of each establishment would agree that they are both selling barbecue; but with a different niche of the market as their target. The style of preparation and presentation is significantly different; I happen to enjoy both. Having grown up is Southwest Georgia I can't remember a time when I didn't eat barbecue and have tried every style available to my knowledge (North Carolina style is the only one that I don't personally care for but know many people that want nothing else), most people have a preference and shouldn't mistake that personal preference for "what is good vs. what isn't good."

Scott - I have owned a food service establishment myself (back home in GA for 3 years) and I understand your shock and horror. I want to reassure you that my experiences (around 4 or 5) in your restaurant have been from good to great. The ONLY negative comment I could make is that I had to wait in line, as the 1st person, for about 3 minutes one day at lunch when we slipped in early and the help was still in the kitchen. In no way did this leave me unhappy but I can see where an impatient soul would have become disgruntled. I had the open faced prime rib sandwich that day on the recommendation of the tardy staff member so any hard feelings quickly evaporated amongst steak, gravy and potatoes. Don't fire the staff and don't give up, I need another killer lunch!

BOB

steak, gravy and potatoes.

BOB

your tar looks like it just ate what you described.....

regarding the first post in this thread

Wow. I guess I am just shocked. We've had carry out from Jambone's and it's always been fabulous. Service: No problem whatsoever. Dealing with Scott Alderson: He was so kind and considerate and refunded my holiday meal payment when we had to cancel our dinner due to my husband's hospitalization over thanksgiving week. He was so gracious and accomodating. Always seems to go out of his way for customers.
Just an unexpected post, I think. I have heard only positive comments regarding Jambone.
I can imagine that Scott feels rather deflated from such a post as that one.

While everyone is always going to have a different experience I have to echo both SSB and JR's comments, they are both wonderful and unique. There is no "better" as they are completely different restaurants and foods that just happen to be under the classification BBQ.

Keep up the good work Scott.

Jambones...WE LOVE!!!! (98 also. I'm not a conniseur of smoked goods so it all seems tasty to me. )Our group happens to be breakfast, lunch and dinner drinkers, soooo...The Bone seems to be the pick of the day...every other day!!!! Different friends come in from Destin and I'm finding myself eating bar-b-q 3 fricking times a week! Thank God it's (did not know this) ORGANIC PIG!!!??? I find somebuddy I know everytime I go alone. The bartenders are great, (we always sit at the bar) the guys are nice (they think we're perty) the girls are nice ( they think we're perty) and it's always a good time! OK, we did have one watery Bloody Mary! We didn't complain....one outta 500....I'll take dem odds! I also at times am on a wait crew, so I'm harsh with service people if they don't fill my needs or if there is even a hint of attitude. Truly, never had a problem with any of the staff...Always a good time and a welcomed addition to the hood!

Both restaurants are great. I have to admit I had sort of forgotten about 98 BBQ until the basketball teams from SWHS went there to eat last week. Now ShallowsSquirt won't let me forget again. ;-)

Meanwhile, last time I had carryout from Jambones, I ate it for three different meals, and it was good each time. MY what a lot of great food.

Both are tremendous assets to Santa Rosa Beach, particularly among the restaurants on 98.

While everyone is always going to have a different experience I have to echo both SSB and JR's comments, they are both wonderful and unique. There is no "better" as they are completely different restaurants and foods that just happen to be under the classification BBQ.

Keep up the good work Scott.

I am in uncharted waters here as I find myself agreeing with you, SWGB. Don't fire back, I'm just kidding with you. For just a pork sandwich, I think 98 BBQ is far better. For everything else, I like Jambone's. I do find myself going to Jambone's more often than 98BBQ for whatever reason and hope they both stick around. Scott, I did deter an older couple from leaving Saturday because they got tired of waiting at the counter for the girl to emerge from the back. We chatted for a minute until she came out and took their order. I'm sure after a terrific meal, they will come back.

you know, BBQ can be as controversial as politics and religion.

maybe the poster of this thread does not realize that there is an unwritten rule of respect for local businesses (its called common courtesy). If you like it and have a good experience to share - post it! If you don't like it and have had a bad experience - contact the business owner directly and keep it private. on the board, we like to keep it positive. a little constructive feedback is okay now and then..

this poster however was not even talking about his/her own experience in the restaurant - he was referring to words of some friends. even worse!

all I know is that from so many folks I've heard from, Jambone's has been received into this community with wide open arms. not to worry Scott.

To elaborate - we have some specific ideas about postings about local businesses that you can see here - http://www.sowal.com/bb/announcements-business/2-sowal-forum-rules-general-info.html

I don't think the original poster's comments were that harsh. Not harsh enough to make Scott feel so bad. We want people to be able to post honest comments about businesses, as long as they aren't being too harsh or obviously trying to damage a business. We can all be good community members by following the golden rule.

Meanwhile, you can see that what has happened on this thread has happened before - a simple criticism brings out lots of supporters, which is certainly good for business.

Remember also that some customers can never be pleased, especially when they are hungry and cranky. I'm glad I don't have to serve them. ;-)