Heh wait, what? Can someone explain “black-on-black racism” to me? Is it like a dark black vs high yellow kind of thing? Or is this a suggestion that Big Paulie is an Uncle Tom, etc?

If this were a rating system, I’d give them: Zero stars for lack of social grace, let alone any semblance of customer service. Negative ten (10) stars for making patrons feel like the victims of blatant RACISM.

NEVER going back to that place. EVER. In fact, I’m now going out of my way to AVOID the place and to put them on blast. Not a good thing. They have messed with the WRONG mother.

After planning to take my son there for his first time, we had a royally AWFUL experience this afternoon. And we didn’t even have a chance to place an order!! While standing at the counter squinting up at the menu (he’d left his glasses home), standing there minding his own business, my son was told by BIG PAULIE to “TAKE YOUR HANDS OUT OF YOUR POCKETS and to BACK AWAY FROM THE COUNTER–THE MENU’S OVER THERE.” seriously? SERIOUSLY??!!

WHAT?!??!?
Are you F—ing kidding me?!?

I doubt white customers will have any reference point on which to appreciate the indignity of this encounter, or the depth of my reaction to it, but I’m going to take a stab at explaining it. Here are my issues with Backyard BBQ Pit and it’s owner (and employee role model), BIG PAULIE, who committed the heinous act:

1. You treated MY SON like a criminal, not a customer. Maybe you have spent time in lock-down, but not everyone you encounter, and NOT EVERY BLACK MAN has. He’s actually a college student. Try giving your customers the benefit of the doubt. Feel me?

2. As I told BIG PAULIE, last I checked, customers are entitled to stand/walk/skip/whistle with their hands in said pockets without fear of reprisal. What is your PROBLEM? Are you really that jaded?

3. Even after I approached BIG PAULIE to have him explain his treating my son like a common criminal and an unwanted customer for attempting to place an order, he stood his ground. YOU STOOD YOUR GROUND. Prideful ignorance. I guess you’re doing SO WELL that you can afford to insult people and send them away with SERIOUS ATTITUDES. Seriously?

4. The fact of the matter is really that my son and I were subjected to black-on-black racism. You don’t do anything to my son without doing it TO ME. There is NO DOUBT in my mind that if we were WHITE, this would not have occurred. I challenge BIG PAULIE to share feedback from ANY WHITE PATRONS who were asked to take their hands out of their pockets. By all means, please, tell me I’m wrong. I just don’t think those of you who have been maligned in a similar way actually exist.

5. I hope the reason THE PIT is closed on Sunday has nothing to do with religion. That would be way too ironic and hypocritical.

6. I am going to tweet and facebook and blog. And so is my son. And so are our friends. And so on. STARTING NOW.

7. It doesn’t matter how GOOD your food is. If the customer service at Backyard BBQ Pit turns peoples’ stomachs, you’re a LOSER. Your slip is showing.

8. You are THE PITS and should be ashamed of yourself, BIG PAULIE. Big on pig-headedness, big on self-hatred, big on racism from all outward appearances. Small on sense. PIT-Y.

9. Never is a LONG TIME. And no, I am not overreacting.

10. Anyone who is as offended by this encounter should demonstrate in kind and never patronize this establishment again. Salivate elsewhere and spend your money where people are not clueless about how to treat their fellow human beings.

Backyard BBQ Pit lovers might be interested to know that it offers deep-fried turkeys for Thanksgiving, if you pre-order for pick up on the Wednesday before. You can add any of the sides to your order to create your own catered, Thanksgiving package. We’re doing it this year and couldn’t be happier with the service so far or price.

As for the California smugness, here’s one native Californian who recognizes good Southron food – make mine with extra fatback, please. Discussing vegetarianism in the context of Q-joints is just ridiculous. There’s a picture of a pig on the front of the place for a reason.

A nice ad line for them would be, “Come on down to Slippery’s BBQ. You’ll slide on in and slide on out (including the food later!)!

A nice ad line for them would be, “Come on down to Slippery’s BBQ. You’ll slide on in and slide on out (including the food later!)!