Bubba's Texas-style Bar-B-Que and Saloon
2262 Hongqiao Lu,
Gubei/Hongqiao
near Jianhe Lu
虹桥路2262号
近剑河路
6242-2612
www.bubbasasia.com
kennethjoewalker@gmail.com
Open Mon-Fri 10am-12midnight, last order 10pm
Price Y200-Y299 per couple
Accepts International Credit Cards
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- City Weekend says
At this authentic Texas-style smokehouse, the aroma of slow-cooked meats, ribs and tangy sauces greets diners at the swinging saloon doors. Two-steppin' tunes set the mood for tucking into high quality beef cuts or a sizzling pulled pork sandwich. Throw in a side of jalapeno poppers if you're really adventurous.
- Contributor Description
Specializing in Texas-style smoked meats, Bubba's Texas-style Bar-B-Que is China's only authentic Texas barbeque joint. Ribs, chicken, and beef are smoked to perfection using a traditional pit smoker and apple wood for flavoring through the slow-cook process. The place also does a great job of sports coverage, and is packed come big American-sport matches.
Contributed by kj
5 years, 1 month ago
Reviews
Been there? Add a review!
The mexican food at bubbas is really not good at all. Maybe because this is just texas and not tex-mex? If they can not make mexican food then they should remove it from the menu. It did not taste fresh and it seemed to me that they are using cheap ingredients. Or were the ingredients stale? I didn't try the burgers that bubbas themselves proclaim are the best. One of the guys I was with gave a real review of the burgers as "average". To me that just about sums up bubbas.
The service was quite good, however, relatively quick and sometimes a smile. If the food could come close to the service then I might return to bubbas. But food is the most important thing so I won't go back.
Sitting inside a filthy dirty fly infested shoe box at that point we should of left but decided to eat as they say they are the only place for BBQ, i will never go back, pulled pork sandwich that tasted days and days old and too mask the flavour they drown it in vinegar, the beef sandwich was so dry in covered in BBQ sauce it didn't help, and the burger well nothing to rave about, service was OK
I was pretty skeptical of the "Texans" posting their review, but after I tried the restaurant, I've got to say, damn, those are some pretty good baby back ribs. I don't know about their other food, but those are the best that I've had in China (and I've been living here for quite a while, and I've tried quite a few supposedly "good" Westerns). But steer clear of the smoothies, they were pretty normal and not cold enough, which made it taste way too thick.
After all this brouhaha and obvious promotional lying, I decided to take Mrs Narsfs for dinner here tonight to check the place out for ourselves.
The service was good, the food was not.
I can't say anything about "authenticity" as I've never travelled to Texas, but to me every dish tasted exactly the same as everywhere else in Shanghai.
We had the Cajun Crab for an appetizer: there was a lot of crab, but it was underneath a big, thick and greasy skin of bland cheese. The crab meat was nice enough, but really nothing special. "Imported Cheese" was...what? What was so great about it? Nothing, is the answer.
Following this, we had a caesar salad, which was WAY overpriced at 60 RMB for a big bowl of one-leaf, oily croutons and cheap-tasting bacon.
Mrs Narsfs was all greased-out by this time, but I managed to soldier on throuh the Texas Hill Blue Cheese Country Not Very Nice Burger thing. With crappy fries.
Their words:
"one of the best burgers served in Shanghai and perhaps all of China!"
That's just not true. Sorry. It was Blue Frog or old City Diner quality at best.
Certainly no difference in the taste in beef, no smarts in the cooking and generally nothing to write home about. At 90 RMB it is also overpriced by a good 30 RMB. Much like the drinks which were "Dole" quality and 25 RMB for an apple juice and 30 RMB for the cranberry juice in a smaller glass. More expensive. Smaller glass. I think we've found the secret to your success.
However, the one saving grace were the waitresses. Or at least the one in glasses who was immensely polite and welcoming. Also, she turned the music down when asked and the A/C off when we started turning blue. Seriously, too cold. The bill was brought promptly as was the food and when we could catch her attention she was very attentive. Good training and good management. Big points there!
The only let down was the food, which really was so unspectacular as to be a huge disappointment. If this is "authentic" Texas fare, then I'm not a fan.
Hey Yáll (that's how folks from Texas greet each other). I'm born and raise in Texas, been eating real Texas BBQ all my life. Been living here in China for 8 years (never mind that I''m newly registered and never posted before) and I have to say Bubba's is THE BEST TEXAS BBQ in China, use of all caps entirely intentional! Is the food sometimes a bit cold? Well that's how it's done in Texas- you see, since the weather is so hot there, we Texans prefer to have our food a little on the cold side. I eat at Bubba's all the time when I get homesick and it's like being magically transported back home (except instead of Mexican waitresses and cooks it's Chinese staff here, but it's all good!). There are 1 billion people living in this country, and none of them know anything about real good ole homestyle Texas BBQ- that why everyone who reads these reviews needs to know: Bubba's Texas BBQ is the best in Shanghai! I have eaten at all these other so-called "BBQ"places, and their food is crap! Rumor has it some of these places use dog meat. I can personally vouch that 100% of the meat you'll get at Bubba's is BEEF, good old fashion USA beef. If you think BBQ is anything other than salty and spicy dry rub served at room temperature, then you don't know BBQ! Sweet and tangy BBQ sauce? That stuff from the bottles you guy at the grocery store? Might as well be baby vomit! Bubba's serves the only real BBQ in Shanghai! I give it my full endorsement as a real live, authentic Texan!
I'm a rancher from Purmela, Texas, I living part time in Changsha China and I think Bubba's in Shanghai has some of the best Texas style BBQ ribs and steaks in China... His joint is just like you get in Texas in the hill country... not to fancy, kinda a feel at home type of place... cold beer... loud talk, if your lucky there maybe some pretty girls to look at...so what the hell is there to complain about. In Texas if your meat is a little cold you tell someone to throw it back on the fire pit a little longer and have another cold beer while you wait ! In the old days, Texas cowboys on the trail had to eat the worst cuts of beef, but they learned how to BBQ the meat "Brisket" to perfection, in doing so, making Texas BBQ world famous... Someone said the jalapeno poppers are too spicy, what the hell, I'd say if you can't take the heat... don't eat jalapeno... I had them one night and they were hotter then hell, but great tasting... ummmm..... The only complaint about jalapeno should be their not hot enough... if your ass doesn't feel on fire the next day... then complain ! ! ! In Texas I would give Bubba's 4 stars.... but for being in China, Bubba's is 5 star or above...
Long Live the ROT
Bubbas is a 5 star establishment that just celebrated their 5th year anniversary for obvious reasons. Those of you who want to talk shit about it, need to get off the internet and get a life. This is run by Ken, Beg and Anne who are 3 of the classiest individuals in Shanghai. If there's a problem with the food, which can happen, you just ask and its handled. This is coming from a fellow F&B business owner and I'm tired of reading BS about this. 5 thumbs up and check my signup date.
I also like Element Fresh , Din Tai Feng, Blue Frog and some other places in Xintindi area and several Chinese places. I was in the mood for Texas BBQ this past weekend and only was in Shanghai for the day. Anyway, the reviews are only comments on actual experienes at the restaurants and as I see someone pointed out on this site when I saw this posing.
I added my rating. I give Bubbas a 5 star especially the ribs!
I was back in Shanghai this past weekend. I stopped by Bubbas on Hongqiao Lu again and tried a half order of his smoked ribs for lunch on Saturday. Excellent again! Hao Chir!
This place really does remind me of home back in Fort Worth. The BBQ sauce is great and I enjoyed the Bubbas Shanghai Cole Slaw with a little more crunch.
Hey guys, we've moved the "authenticity" debate over to a blog post. Please confirm comments to actual eating experiences at the restaurant. Thanks.
I'm from Arkansas, but spent many years in Texas and Tennessee. The BBQ at Bubbas is pretty darn good.
Texans are certainly biased towards good smoked BBQ. We are also straight shooters when it comes to BBQ. This means we will tell you straight if it is good or bad. Since 2007, I have enjoyed Bubbas BBQ ribs and I am headed their this week to try them again and will give you an update. The ribs have always been tender, consistent in size and great smoked flavor.
Oh, and four stars, simply due to decent food and bottled ales at reasonable prices.
Not family friendly, but neither am I.
I have yet to have a problem with any of the food in Bubba's - in fact I find it to be great quality for the price. Pulled pork sandwiches, steaks, ribs and those little sandwiches are fantastic. True, the ribs are never 'piping hot', but I find them to be perfect (when I have them). My friends occasionally complain (quietly) about the desserts, but I've never had a problem with them as I personally believe that desserts are for babies.
They have a decent selection of bottled beers and ales, at a ridiculously reasonable price, which endears me as I'm an alcoholic.
The staff are most certainly not slow witted, and they are actually incredibly attentive, friendly, and quick to turn around orders.
@Jeffisatroll is clearly someone who has a chip on his shoulder - I can say this quite confidently judging by his over-reactive posts, and how ridiculously far off the mark he is about this bar/restaurant, which I have spent an inordinate amount of time in, due to it's good food, good ales and close proximity to my home.
The remarks about the staff are ridiculous, and he strikes me as a shill or troll. In fact, the remark 'slow witted' could in fact be applied to his own rambling semi-coherent posts.
End rant.
p.s. texastea54 - shill much?
with a name like texastea you obviously are not biased at all are you ?
Bubbas Ribs are outstanding and consistent every time I have visited since 2007. I also enjoy them on the all you can eat thursdays at the Hongqiao location. I will stop by later this week and let you know again how the ribs taste. The BBQ Wings are also great as well as the mini bbq sandwiches ( chopped beef and pulled pork).
KJ If you scroll down this list of reviews i have seen you have had to apologize at least 3 or 4 times for the screw ups. I HAVE been to your place a couple of times in the hope that it would get better and everytime i have been dissappointed. Do you think that you are the only place in town that does ribs ? Ribs in the states come in all different styles and sizes. You make ONE specific kind. where i am from we like them moist and swwet n spicy kind where they are served fresh from the grill bbq or otherwise. Just because you make them another way does not make US as customers wrong. Learn to deal with criticism from customers and roll with it instead of getting all "i know more that you do" Deal with it. Your ribs are not that great and there are outlets in Shanghai that are far superior. deal with it.Your service staff ARE slow and slow witted. Deal with it Big Bear is still right with his comments.
You are right big bear, the ribs you got were not up to the right temp if the oil was solidifying. I wish you would have complained or sent them back. We would correct that immediately. As it was a pretty big party, my guess is the kitchen staff was rushing a little and yours didn't have a chance to get up to the right serving temp either on the grill or in the warmer. I'll make it up to you if you send me an email next time you wanna come in....kennethjoewalker@gmail.com
As for the most recent post....who the hell do you think you are? Someone obviously knows me but not well enough. And you must not know much about bbq either cause you are dead wrong on the statement that better ribs can be found downtown. If you like oven baked ribs, then maybe.
And I was born on Grissom Air Force Base that's a fact. I was an air force brat so my Dad moved around a little. Being a B-58 Hustler pilot required that, but I did attend first grade onward in Austin, Texas....so know your facts before you start spewing BS.
And if you wanna come in and bring some samples of better ribs then do it.
KJ
agree with you big bear, much better rib places in town and i like my ribs hot not room temp too. and the owner wasn`t born in texas he moved there when he was a teenager/early 20s so he is not a true texan its what he wants people to believe to help market his texas cold bbq place
I'll first be honest, I'm from NY- not Texas and I'm no BBQ expert. Was there for their "5 year birthday party" In terms of decor, definitely like a slice of America (whether this is a good thing or not is debatable)- be warned not stroller or too kid friendly, the staircase is narrow and winding. They do have high-chairs but no kids plates or utensils. On to the food- let me reiterate what some other posters have said, we ordered their ribs. Flavor-wise is a bit on the spicy and salty side for my tastes, but again I'm used to a sweeter style of BBQ (i.e. Famous Dave's type of chain in America- Southern as opposed to Texas BBQ I believe). OK, fair enough, to each their own. BUT- in terms of serving temperature, I do think the ribs where coming out pretty cold- pretty much room temp. The owner posts that this is just how things are served "in Texas", but when the grease on the meat has started to solidify and become white, I don't think you can pin that on how things are done in Texas. I've been to Texas twice and went to restaurants and don't remember that. Turn around time for us was fast (4 minutes) but then that might explain the food temperature (sitting around waiting to be served). The meat was tender and moist but again a bit firm due to the temperature. My kids got the hot dogs- those were served hot and did indeed taste and look like the Texas weiners I remember (not just grocery store dogs which is good). We PERSONALLY prefer the ribs at a place like Tony Roma's (Shanghai Center) or Red Rooster (in Pudong)- but some of it maybe that this "Texas style" is just different than what we're used to. Worth a try with an open mind, and evidently other people from Texas say it's authentic- but may not be everyone cup of tea.. Not great for the infant-toddler set but older kids are OK- they do have a children's menu. I still wonder a bit about the ribs serving temperature though....
Guys, sorry for any bad experience you may have had at Bubba's. I wish I had been there at the time and you would have brought these to my attention or to the attention of the manager.....we have a good habit of fixing things that aren't right.
Now, yes, we cook our ribs dry. With a dry rub that I have been using since college. Also, Texas barbeque is a cuisine that is not served pipping hot, but rather more or less at a nice holding temperature. We cook at 225 F, so that to begin with is not going to be pipping hot when served. So, not sure what your expectations are for the rib temperature, but perhaps you are used to the places that cook in standard ovens, use a smothering sauce, or (ghast) cook them on a gas grill. Those styles will be hot for sure.
As far as value, I think Bubba's is one of the better values in town. Our servings tend to be large and not as expensive as other places, especially considering we import nearly all of our meats and many of our spices. Our ribs are so huge people have a hard time eating a half rack. These babies are from Montana and our naturally raised.....no hormones.
I am a fan of the Tuesday night steak special. If you don't like spices you won't like it so much but I think their rub is fan-f***ing-tastic. The meat is very tender too. Just sometimes I have been there they had run out of baked potatoes, kind of surprising for a steak night, I mean how cheap are potatoes to get and have a few extra going! Service definitely so-so as you always have to ask for things twice and some of the staff really does not speak English. The Philipino staff are fine but some locals never seem to get over culture shock that you should actually talk to and care about the customers, standing around and looking everywhere but toward you when you need something.
I am a local girl in shanghai. I went to bubba's with my boyfriend. He is an Texan, and he really loves BBQ. We go to Bubba's all the time. I love meat and spicy food, and i think the food there is absolutely fantastic, the pork ribs, chicken wings, chicken tenders and enchilada.
The prices of the drinks there are very reasonable, especially during the happy hour. and they also got ladies' night. but i cant remember which day is the ladies' night exactly. just think that if anyone is interested in trying this place, it worths going!
I am not sure what is going on but everytime I have been to Bubbas the food has been great! The BBQ ribs are imported from Montana and always consistently great. His BBQ sauce is top rate and homemade. I am still trying to copy it and haven't got it right yet but it is a 1st rate BBQ sauce and so are the BBQ ribs...likely best I have had in China and compete well with those in USA and in the Republic of Texas.
I recommended it to a friend of mine , Marisol,from Suzhou. She went on the all you can eat night and she also really loved the bbq ribs. I have taken my staff from Kunshan here on several occassions and all of them love the ribs.
I also really love the chicken wings at Bubbas and the pulled pork & chopped beef BBQ sandwiches but by far..the BBQ ribs are outstanding! I will stop in again soon in November and post again.
Hands down this has to be the worst bbq joint in Shanghai, the USDA meat that they maintain (obviously illegally) they use wasnt good enought to feed my dog, it was slightly charred with a burnt taste throughout and while chewing had a cardbaord effect that my jaws wont forgive me for. Tender my a$$ !!. The pork ribs were cold when they arrived at our table and the sauce was a generic shop bought tasting one that is easily accessible anywhere this fair city. If you like BBq, then suggest instead of driving miles and miles out to HQ then stay in the city and try Pinnacle Peak,Kakandu,Avalon,Latina,Malones,Paulahner or Sashas if you need a good bbq meat fix
Been to bubbas before and it wa passable but was with some friends who had heard it was ok so took them there . In short this place is not worth the trip, 40 mins in a taxi from portman was a bad start to the evening although i already knew thats it right out of town in a very un-glamourous area The girlfriends ribs were a little on the tough side, the beef we are told by our waitress is usda and the "best quality" well...really ? isnt that illegal in this country ? may have to alert the authorities on that little conversation. it didnt mater anyway as the beef short ribs were not that flavorful. the railroad burger was ok but had better in town (in town). drinks came quick but were not a full ounce as it didnt taste strong at all. all in all not going back again
A solid menu with heaping helpings is the best way to describe Bubba's. That's the reason one goes to Bubba's. And I don't know anywhere else in China one can get hush puppies, let alone what Bubba's cooked up.
When i want to get away from China, i head for Bubbas. The music, the decor, the smell of pit BBQ... its as close to Texas you will ever get in Big Red.
The best BBQ in Shanghai. Burgers are very good, although slightly smaller than I expected. The smoked wings are just amazing. Pretty much everyone I have brought her falls in love with the wings (or drummers), including Chinese friends. Staff are friendly and even Bubba himself came to our table once to check that we were enjoying the food. I have been many times and I will keep going back.
Nice place after 2-3 weeks in Asia. I stop bye everytime in Shanghai. The food is good. Burgers, bbq, pizza, steak are better than most and atmosphere is fun.
I am from Fort Worth Texas. I have been to Bubbas Texas BBQ many times in the past two years and recently I tried their imported ribs from Oregon, USA that are slow smoked..the portion size is enough to share but I managed to eat all of them (OUTSTANDING RIBS)....and the BBQ Sauce was perfect but really didn't need it but used some anyway..the BBQ Pulled Pork and Brisket Sandwiches are also Excellent! My only choice for Texas BBQ in Shanghai (forget Yeehaa BBQ--imitation smoke...give me a break) or I make my own on my 55 gallon smoker with my smuggled mesquite wood from Texas along with my Penderys Spices from Fort Worth and various other BBQ rubs. Bubbas Rub is outstanding as well. You have an actual Texan running the place and he is also the Pit Master. Ken is from Austin. He works hard to do it right and also puts on a Great Annual Shanghai Bubbas Chili Cook off every year...5th one coming up in October if I remember right..I will enter again next year to see if can improve my position from 5th to 1st. Anyway, if you are looking for Texas BBQ in Shanghai..this is the only place to go unless you can find me an my smoker.
Very good Texas BBQ..I forgot add my Star rating to my comments!
What what what? You must be smoking something other than barbeque Sarah. In four years, we have not eliminated ANY dishes, only added. And yes, at times (around two years ago) we underwent some transition in the kitchen as I was trying to nail down the best meats to smoke at the best prices so that I could deliver quality to customers. So, today, the result is mostly imported HIGH QUALITY products and we stack the plate with them. So, I am not sure where you are coming from at all because essentially, restaurants don't last on the map for four years with bad service and bad food.
I'd encourage you to come out again and find me and I can make sure you have a great meal, great service, and a good time.
KJ
Forgot to add the review....
Disappointing really. I was there 2 yrs ago when I thought it was worth the trip out there, but my last visit was terrible. They eliminated my favorite items and the service is getting horrible. I can't believe how much they are charging for such meager portions of brisket.
Save yourself the trip.
Great ribs and burgers! period.
Barbecue aficionados, homesick Southerners, and football fans alike converge on this smokehouse. With a Texas-size reputation for quality meats and hearty portions, Bubba's serves up a mean pulled pork sandwich and smoky dry rub ribs -- and don't forget to sample the homemade sauces. Settle into a side order of jalapeno poppers, hush puppies, or burracho beans to bring out your inner cowboy. Tip your Stetson to Bubba when you mosey out the saloon doors.
Great burgers, great atmosphere on College Football Saturday last week, friendly and fast staff and clean bathrooms! Yes!
Never had anything bad at Bubbas, big fan of the Chili, Enchiladas, pizza and ribs. Special sauces kick ass, been trying to steal one for my house, but the waitresses always catch me!
Guys, sorry for any bad experience you may have had at Bubba's. I wish I had been there at the time and you would have brought these to my attention or to the attention of the manager.....we have a good habit of fixing things that aren't right.
Now, yes, we cook our ribs dry. With a dry rub that I have been using since college. Also, Texas barbeque is a cuisine that is not served pipping hot, but rather more or less at a nice holding temperature. We cook at 225 F, so that to begin with is not going to be pipping hot when served. So, not sure what your expectations are for the rib temperature, but perhaps you are used to the places that cook in standard ovens, use a smothering sauce, or (ghast) cook them on a gas grill. Those styles will be hot for sure.
As far as value, I think Bubba's is one of the better values in town. Our servings tend to be large and not as expensive as other places, especially considering we import nearly all of our meats and many of our spices. Our ribs are so huge people have a hard time eating a half rack. These babies are from Montana and our naturally raised.....no hormones.
Our steaks are all premium imported from the best beef raising country in the world. You can pay 600 rmb for a steak on the Bund or at one of the local "steak houses" that I sell for 200 rmb.
Our house salads are massive. They should be fresh, but I am not going to say we hit on all cylinders all the time. We try though! We're just like all other restaurants in this regard.
Look, we've been in business over three years now and with a not so glamorous location. The return rate on customers is high. So if you've had a bad experience, set up a time to come back....with me....and let's sit down together and figure out the issues. I'm sure you won't leave disappointed.
kennethjoewalker@gmail.com
C'mon! Rise to the challenge.
never going back to this place again and would warn all you people reading this to not go there too. 1,Ribs were luke warm 2,Not very big portions for the money 3,the oil was old and had not been changed, the same taste was on everything that had been deep fried 4,salad was not fresh, found brown bits on the greens and plate decor 5,the waitresses were slow and brought 2 out of 4 drinks wrong orders dont like the place, ive been to texas and that is nothing like texas bbq food.
This place is way overrated. I may not be into Texas style ribs and I don't like smoked ribs (Carolina Honeys are my favorites), but the meat is dry and I didn't find the taste to be very appetizing. Hush Puppies were not very good.
My friend thought it was decent though and had been there more than once. I guess it may suit the tastes of some.
Not me. I don't care to go back.
BEYOND TERRIBLE!!! went to bubba's tonight after hearing good things about it and wanting to try it for a while. The jalapeno poppers, too spicy, hard, barely cooked, all seeds still in, some strange, white cream stuffing, was NOT cheese. Hush puppies tasted like they were deep fried in 2 month old re-used low quality oil. Chimichangas were at best decent. Ribs were dry, tasteless, low quality meat. Like they were cooked somehow, not even bbq, a few days ago and microwaved before served. The margherita was a headache inducer...super low quality alcohol. When we complained to the manager, his answer was simple...it's fresh. That was not even an argument. My dog can tell it's NOT fresh. I only had a few bites of everything as I could not bear to eat more than that....even aching hunger and the guilt of wasted food was not enough of a motivation for another bite. Low integrity restaurant. Low integrity cooking. Should be shut down!
I have been back to Bubba's just a few weeks ago, and had a very pleasent surprise. There is a new chef, which has improved the bbq, and has added some very welcome dishes to the menu. My biggest surprise were the Enchiladas, both beef and chicken. Not very big portions, but great taste and the right spicyness. Those are definitely worth a try if you want to divert from the traditional fare. Free refills are also great!
Visited Bubba's again recently for a relook at their offering. I had previously been there two times (or maybe three?) a couple of months after it opened back in 2005 (or 2006?). Ignoring the imprecision of my monkey memory, let's get to the updated review.
Concept: Still a great idea. Texas Bar-B-Que in Shanghai. Sounded like a guaranteed winner back then and still does today.
Decor: Very nice build-out of a standalone building on Hong Qiao Road next door to the Marriot. Got to give the owner (KJ) credit for daring to plunk down such a chunk of money to get it done right the first time...well, not exactly right (see below) but pretty close.
Location: Bubba's is located on one of those Clint Eastwood spaghetti-western movie sets. Surrounded by dry brush and tumbling tumbleweeds (much better than the stationary kind), it takes 3 days of hard riding to reach the location. On the way there, you pass a crawling-position skeleton that is shackled to a huge wagon wheel. If you take a wrong turn, you will miss the crawling skeleton and instead see a skeleton drinking a (never empty) bottle of wine while perched on top of a pile of gold coins and other booty. Wrong way. Go back until you see the crawling skeleton and turn left.
Decor Part 2: OK, basic build-out was kinda wood bar, haunted house-ish style. When I first went there two years ago, it was too clean and uncluttered. Now the place has been scuffed up (puked on?) a bit and had some dumb things hung on the wall, so it looks much more lived-in and comfortable. The decision to use high quality materials in the first build-out seems to be paying off, since the place looks like it could go another 2 or 3 years before any renovation is needed. (Totally different from Malone's approach of using crappy formica materials and renovating once per year). Still, I think Bubba's would benefit from some additional authentic "wall stuff" with a Texas theme.
Food: Previous complaints included cold food, undercooked beans, and skimpy presentation on the plate (more like a French restaurant with sauce swirls than a big honkin' Texas-style place). Let's see how things have changed since then...
Presentation: Much better. More honkin' than before. Zimbu like.
Rib temperature: Not cold like before. Warm as promised. KJ printed a big long explanation inside the menu specifically for me about why I should not expect the smoked items to be steaming hot. I'll bet he is happy I finally came back to read it after two long years. (By the way, the menu is easier to read then the original version)
Rib Taste: Excellent. Love the grungy bark-stuff on the outside layer. Like they were dropped into a bed of sawdust before goin' in the smoker. Sounds disgusting, but tastes gooood.
Burracho (spelling? Sounds like a Mexican word for either "drunk" or "cheap"; I am not sure which; Maybe neither?) Beans: Really good, but I could have done without the cheese. Still, the taste was right on. Not undercooked either.
Potato Salad: Not to my liking. I think one of the ingredients threw it off the right path. Maybe too much celery? Chinese celery is pretty damn strong tasting, so that could be it.
Little Corn Cakes Thingies: These were a big hit last time, and they still should be good, but mine were a bit stale tasting this time. I know, KJ will say I should have asked for a fresh batch, but I am a chicken about stuff like this. I just sit there and take it and then go home to take revenge on the internet. Sorta like the Unibomber but without the hooded sweatshirt.
Hamburger: Good taste, but meat patty was one size too small for the bun (bun was really good though). Also the meat had too much "extender" mixed in (or maybe the cow was slaughtered right in the middle of chowing down on a big meal?). Still tasted great with the dark bbq sauce on it. Also loved the big ol' chunk o' tomato and honkin' slice o' onion. OK amount of lettuce also (I hate when other places give you one little piece of lettuce and a long-angled single slice of pickle for your burger. Something very "euro" about that).
Fries: Good. Not as good as Blue Frog's, but pretty close. Actually, it doesn't matter much since only Bubba's has the bbq sauce for dipping your fries. The sauce wins. Actually, just dipping my fingers into Bubba's BBQ sauce and licking it off is better that eating Blue Frog's fries.
Diet Coke: OMG...they free refill Diet Cokes! The girl saw I was nearly finished with my first, and just walked over with another cold Diet Coke for me. It was as if she read my mind of somethin'. This is more amazin' than auto-flush toilets ("terlets", in Texan)! Every other restaurant owner in Shanghai that refuses to refill Diet Cokes should be shackled to a wagon wheel and left to rot in the desert surrounding Bubba's.
Service: I don't want to help restaurant staff with their English skills. Unobtrusive is what I prefer, and that's pretty much what they deliver at Bubba's. Good.
Picky Point: Looks like they have a case of the "gee, we did not think there would be so much stuff to store when we designed this place" disease. Although the stacked up beer cases add some atmosphere, they also look a little messy. I wonder now if there really is beer in those boxes? If I was half drunk there one night, I would definitely help myself to "free refills" if those boxes had real bottles in them. Maybe they're empties only??? Not half drunk today, so I did not check. The upstairs stairway area is also loaded up with supplies.
Summary: Much improved food and presentation put Bubba's back on the "APPROVED BY ZIMBU" list.
Agree that the food isn't that good. The reason to go is the sports, especially college football. Get on his mailing list to know what's going to be on. But arrive early for big events because the setup doesn't allow very many seats clear views of the TVs.
The food was ok, but my brisket was served cold. I actually liked the BBQ sauce, but then again I am from the East Coast.... Overall it was average for a western meal in Shanghai. It was a little overpriced for the portions and Bubba himself was no where to be found.
Bubba's is Definitely overrated and A big dissappointment. Worst BBQ I have tasted. Chicken was cold, over cooked to be too dry --- that meat seems to crumbling to powder; Ribs was served cold, sauce used have a strong artificial sweetening flavor.
When I miss home, I decide against impulsively booking a ticket back to the States or and I head to Bubba's for a game and relax with all the other people in Shanghai who still believe football is something played with a pigskin and not your feet.
overrated and overpriced.
So I was in that neck of the woods near hongqiao and rather than settle for some mystery roulette noodles for my dinner I took a little walk out of my way to check out Bubba's: home of all things Texas! Naturally, I ordered their pulled pork sandwich, and was monumentally dissapointed. Now the tangy, sour taste of the pork turned me off. I expected something drenched in good BBQ sauce. Steaming, you know. It wasn't. The sauce was on the side in a squeeze bottle. Sigh. But what really did it was that the bun was cold, like "we just pulled this right outta the fridge" cold type cold. I mean, you dont have to toast it or toss it over the grill, (although it wouldn't hurt), but get the thing to room temperature so I don't feel like i'm eating an arm&hammer scented Christine bakery bun. Now before some momo comes on to comment "well we got fridges down in Texas; big ol fridges!" just to warn "y'all" you may want to put in a few special requests before ordering.