BEST RESTAURANT AWARD
"Wright Gourmet" Restaurant Review
Babe's Slim Pig N's BBQ
By: Ed Wright, The Wright Gourmet

Babe's Slim Pig N's
(Bar-B-Que & Alehouse)
(909) 798-2299
1635 Industrial Park Ave.
Redlands, Ca.

Babe's Slim Pig N's opened in Redlands several years ago now, and I recall we first reviewed it (The Wright Gourmet) back in late 2005 “as having over come many of the initial Grand Opening jitters and long waits.” Few of those who reviewed the new establishment seemed to know how to discuss the long wait times and new restaurant commotion that simply occurs when any restaurant first opens, let alone one of this size that was faced with exceptionally high consumer expectations. 

Many of those who did review the new BBQ Alehouse took great lengths to discuss the décor and what were considered extravagances while tactfully dancing around the food and pricing issues diners initially complained about without mentioning the natural improvements that evolve as restaurant staffing develops and learn to work together. This is the reason "The Wright Gourmet" seldom reviews brand new restaurants in the first few weeks of opening... it tends to be counter productive and accomplishes little.

Personally, "The Wright Gourmet" and several of the groups of friends we have dined with think all of this is in the past, and feel that Slim Pig N's has come into its own very nicely. Presently "Babe's" is consistently drawing repeat business... and serves up some pretty darn good BBQ. Factor in that we have never heard any say that they have run out of beer... or that it was served anything less than ice cold; so life is getting better for the Slim Pig!

A Quick Note on "Comparative Pricing:" The good news for those who simply wish to complain about comparative pricing without factoring in the quality, service, ambiance and overall dining experience or anything else "comparative;" there is an Arby's just down the street that has 1-Dollar specials which include BBQ Sauce... but it's not the same, nor fair to compare, and you get about what you pay for. (No insult to Arby's, or those on a budget) 

History of Babe’s: Don Callender opened his first “Babe's Bar-B-Que Grill and Brew house” in 2002, located in Rancho Mirage, Calif. which also houses Don's state-of-the-art micro brewery. The popularity of this first "Babe's" fueled expectations for the second restaurant which is now the Redlands “Babe's Slim Pig N's” location. This second Babe's is now an equally stunning masterpiece, and at 11,000 sq. ft. with loads of open space, Western motif, massive bar and tons of comfortable seating areas seldom fails to impress.

Opening Soon: A third “Babe's,” is scheduled to open in Indio, Ca., late in 2007 or early 2008. This restaurant is to be appropriately named “Hog Wild,” which aptly describes what consists of a three-building BBQ Themed “Western Style Center" sitting on almost 19 acres! As described, it features a "Babe's" style BBQ and Alehouse Restaurant plus a separate, “quick-service-oriented,” take-out building providing "to-go" barbecue sandwiches and ribs plus a separate tamale factory.

The third building is designed as a banquet facility and will provide additional outdoor dining areas. Pretty lavish by almost anyone's standards for a food style that is often served out of a BBQ Shack on butcher's paper even today! So needles to say “Babe's Slim Pig N's” has some strong financial backing and is clearly taking BBQ to new "Hog Wild" heights.

Before we discuss the food, no review would be complete without describing the incredible décor of Babe's Slim Pig N's. In simple terms, Babe’s is a Western styled BBQ Palace that my pictures do not do justice to… the entire complex is amazingly well decorated and detailed with the “Babe” theme and stutes of bronze pigs throughout. (I want one… OK, two or three!) My point here is that the theme and detail is such that it is part of the actual dining experience itself, and greets you when you drive up, and comes full force when you walk thru the doors. Not many restaurants in the Inland Empire compete on this level.

The Slim Pig N's bar area boasts a show stopping 6-ft. by 20 ft. antique looking mural painted on the wall behind the bar featuring stampeding horses in full gallop. Very impressive! Slim Pig N's bar features 25 beers on tap which includes Don Callender's own signature micro brews plus a custom state-of-the-art refrigerated tap system that assures the beer is always served ice cold. (no luke warm beer here!) The bar area also features numerous massive big screen TVs.

The attention to detail at Babe's Slim Pig N's extends everywhere with special attention paid to the kitchen area and the Smoker Unit itself all in full display for the diners to easily view… see the pictures. The entire kitchen area is a showplace into, and by itself with heavy granite counters and acres of stainless steel… my guess is that no expenses were spared anywhere in building "Babe's Slim Pig N's;" which could easily explain some of the menu pricing many review as “over priced;” as if there is anything else comparable like it. There simply isn’t…

Don Callender’s “Slim Pig N's” takes BBQ to levels unseen, with budgets many would argue don't pencil out for a BBQ Joint. The combined package is not as "Over the Top" as some might think, plus it all ties together and completes a very casual, but still up-scale western style that is both inviting and relaxing that is perfect for a serious business lunch or an enjoyable dinner occasion.

All this said, we (The Wright Gourmet & Friends) have had the privilege of dining at Slim Pig N's several times for business with other lenders, clients and Realtors… it was a hit every time!

So What is the Food Like? Over the past 1-1/2 years, and after several visits to Babe’s Slim Pig N's in Redlands and one to the desert location, we have had the opportunity to try out the tortilla soup, pork wings and sampled the popcorn shrimp… which were all very good, and prepare you nicely for the main dishes, which at Slim Pig N's is Smokehouse BBQ, in a very dressed up style!

One of the topics of several conversations we have had while dining with friends at “Babe’s Slim Pig N's” has been the style of BBQ Babe’s serves… it seems that when your friends know you write restaurant reviews they enjoy putting you on the spot (but don’t want their pictures taken during reviews). In this case the conversation was towards the “why” the “Smokehouse” ribs and chicken do not have a much heavier “slow smoked” flavor; which as I explained, goes to the smoking technique itself more so than the actual time in the smoker. The observation is a good one; as none of the meats I have tasted have the heavy smoked flavors that comes from using too much Mesquite or other heavy flavored hard wood types some novices associate with good smoked meats.

The BBQ served up at “Babe’s Slim Pig N's” is a style that has clearly been developed to appeal to the broadest range of people… not too heavy on BBQ sauce, and not a lot of overly applied dry rub seasonings. The flavor is slow smoked however, with the meats moist and tender as only hours in a low heat smoker can produce. “Babe’s Slim Pig N's” BBQ is all pleasantly flavored, and carefully avoids being overly spicy or too sweet, with the distinct taste of the smoke in every bite.

The meat on the ribs was still firm (not falling off like so many crock pot ribs), very lean and well trimmed with a light, sweet BBQ sauce cooked onto the ribs and also the chicken during the final glazing process as they are grilled just prior to serving. You will want to request extra napkins, because you are going to need them. The BBQ flavor in the chicken is extremely well done… and I almost prefer it to the ribs; which pretty much rounds out what I have sampled at Babe’s Slim Pig N's. Several at our table have tried the pie selections… which considering the past ties to Marie Callender’s restaurants are also extremely well done; assuming you have room for dessert after a hearty meal of BBQ.

As a quick note of other favorites… I enjoyed the beans, but was not real big on the Coleslaw which everyone else in our party seemed to enjoy (go figure). The sweet potato fries are favorites with everyone, and are a must try if you have never had them before. Regrettably, we have not tried the tamales that everyone raves about… I hate it when that happens. My guess is that we will just have to go back!

Notes on Pricing: First off; this is not the “Claim Jumper” where you order 1 meal and feed 2 to 3 average people from it. I do tend to agree that the menu pricing at Babe's is a bit steep by Inland Empire standards (in my mind) and the serving sizes a bit on the small side (at least visually)… but this said, I have never left hungry, so clearly the meals are more than ample when you consider “The Wright Gourmet” likes to eat. As for my pricing perceptions, I don't like the price of gasoline either, but I happily pay it... something about what the market will bear, and demand. 

As for pricing complaints, this is an area where you get what you pay for… and part of what you are paying for, and needs to be factored in, is all the “Sizzle” and “Visual Impact” of the incredible décor of Babe’s Slim Pig N's. Of value, and also a major draw is the first class micro brewery that supports Babe's massive bar area, which is second to none in the Inland Empire; all of this plus the staffing costs money and is factored into the menu pricing. Don Callender did not skimp on the budget anywhere with Babe’s, and all things considered, Babe’s Slim Pig N's is absolutely first rate.

There are restaurants that cater to many price ranges; Slim Pig N's is designed to serve an "Up-Scale" clientèle, and may not be a dining venue for those on a budget that might impact their abilities to enjoy the complete dining experience which may be the roots of many of the “Price” complaints I hear about most high end restaurants. Granted, Slim Pig N's isn't cheap... but it does not have sawdust on the floors, nor does it serve meals on paper plates or use beat up park benches; we are talking first class with a relaxed "slow cooked" BBQ attitude. With restaurants of Babe’s Slim Pig N's caliber (and pricing) starting to appear more often in the Redlands area, can the higher end dining hot spots like Ruth’s Chris be far behind?

So How Did We Rate Babe’s Slim Pig N's? This was both easy, and hard (and sure to be a bit controversial)… my first problem was solved by considering Babe’s as a “Up-Scale / High End” dining establishment, which for what it is worth, it definitely qualifies as. At that point the “value” issues are aside somewhat (your budget is blown), and Babe’s rates a perfect scores in all areas; so the rating is a perfect 100.

We placed “Babe’s Slim Pig N's” in the “Best Restaurants” category because if for no other reason Don Callender has truly elevated the once dingy BBQ joint to a new dining level while combining his micro brewery / Western BBQ theme into a dining experience that is simply a fun place to take friends for a finger licking good time! 

This article was posted by: Ed Wright and Central City Mortgage’s “Wright Team,” specializing in Residential and Commercial Mortgage Lending… Purchase and Refinance. Serving all of California from offices in the Inland Empire. For all your mortgage lending questions please call Ed Wright “Your Personal Mortgage Consultant For Life” at (909) 938-3777 or E-Mail “The Wright Team:” Ed@ForHomeLoan.info

For other Questions and Answers about this Restaurant Review Magazine, Reviews and/or to Submit Reviews;  Click Here

To post comments about this review in “Real Time” using “The Wright Gourmet” Suggestions and Comments area (you can use the “QuickSearch” to find the review in question) Click Here: http://www.TheWrightGourmet.com