Looney's Smokehouse

One of our goals during the remodeling is to not eat at the same place twice for a month. There are certainly enough places in the area that we could probably do this for two months, but I think I would miss eating some of my favorite meals. Our friend Mike has been wanting to try Looney's Smokehouse Bar-B Que at the corner of Oxford and Bancroft (2190 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, 510-649-0628, www.looneysbbq.com), so 8 of us went to check it out. With such a big crowd, we were able to sample half of the menu.

The kids had hamburgers and baby back ribs. The hamburgers arrived rare (as ordered) and when asked how they were, Thing 1 said, "I ate mine - does that tell you anything?" I guess it was good. The other things we tried (in descending order of quality): beef ribs (HUGE!), beef brisket, hot links, fries, mashed potatoes, baby back ribs (dry but tasty), Caesar salad (okay), pulled pork (not much taste), cornbread (nothing special), broccoli (tasteless), Mac 'n cheese (bland), green beans (overcooked).

For college-aged sports bar fans, this must be heaven. The service is friendly, the portions are huge, the prices are low, watching the big screen from the second floor is perfect, and the beer pitchers are very cool. On a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, this place must be packed.

Service: 3
Food: 2
Price: $$ ($150 for 8 people, including 1 pitcher of beer)
Atmosphere: 3 (average pub feel)
Overall: 2.5

Comments

[Ted Shelton]

I liked the Thai place that used to be at "looney's" -- and there is something about the anthropomorphic pig that makes me shudder when I drive by... Now that I read your review I am definitely not going in! If "dry but tasty" was the most positive comment, why not just come right out and pan the place?