Each week, the Shreveport-Bossier Journal’s always-hungry reporter visits a different restaurant, and tells you about the experience.
By ANON E. Muss, Journal Services
Outright. Unmistakable. Remarkable. Noteworthy.
That’s how the Merriam-Webster Dictionary (remember dictionaries?) defined the word “Bodacious”.
So clearly, the food at Bodacious Bar & Q (8410 Line Avenue, Shreveport), is at least one of those, right?
To find out, I asked a friend to join me for lunch on a recent Friday. It would be my first visit and his second.
The outside of Bodacious is fairly nondescript. My friend said it looked more like a warehouse than a restaurant. But, once I walked in, Bodacious appeared as a new (It’s been open two-and-a-half years), modern, sparkling eatery.
There is a large bar separating the dining room in half. The bar has plenty of seats, with several recessed televisions overhead. There are also televisions in each corner of the dining room. Outside, there is both regular table and picnic table seating. On a not so pleasant day, roll-up doors offer folks sitting at the regular tables protection from the elements.
After a brief wait, my friend and I were seated by a pleasant hostess. Not long afterward, Destiny showed up, smiling and ready to take our drink order. Throughout our time, Destiny was very accommodating, answered our questions, and never made us feel rushed, which allowed us time to visit.
Bodacious offers 10 appetizers, with several in the $18 range. I think that’s pricey if you’re also going to have a meal, so my friend and I chose a less expensive appetizer (you’re welcome, boss) — Pulled Pork Dip ($13). It was a new addition to the menu, and according to its name, offered a barbecue theme.
Before long, Destiny delivered a large serving of one of the best-tasting dips I have ever had. It was a rich mixture of cream cheese, onions, corn, and pulled pork, topped with melted cheese. The dip came with a good number of chips, but Destiny kindly offered to bring us more chips if needed.
One of the things I liked most about the Pulled Pork Dip? It was hot. Not with spice (though it did have a bit of a kick), but with heat. In fact, it was so hot, my friend took one bite and darn-near turned red faced. He immediately reached for his water glass and began to chug. It was several minutes before he took his second bite.
Bodacious is certainly a barbecue place, but also offers other items, like salads, Beef Tips, and Red Beans & Rice. On Friday and Saturday, Bodacious also serves fried catfish. But, hey, if you’re going to a restaurant with the word “Barbecue” in its name, shouldn’t you eat some barbecue?
Yes, but I have really been trying to lose a few pounds, so I wanted something that would give me that barbecue taste, but wouldn’t be so heavy. So, I chose the Brisket Tacos ($14), which came with one side. I selected baked beans to, again, have that barbecue flavor.
My friend went with the Combo Two-Meat Plate ($21). He chose Sliced Brisket and Hot Sausage. He insisted afterwards on not seeing the menu’s notation that there was a $2 upcharge for brisket (as well as ribs, turkey, and grilled chicken breast).
It wasn’t long after we finished our appetizer and gave Destiny our order that she brought our food. Both plates were presented nicely. Mine had three tortillas, with brisket, smoked gouda cheese, pickled red onions, cabbage, and chipotle aioli. The tacos were good and the brisket was warm. My only complaint is that the tortillas were a bit overcooked, making them a little crunchy and hard to fold without cracking.
The baked beans had a honey flavor, which made them taste much better than regular, bland beans.
My friend’s plate had nice portions of sausage and brisket, two slices of Texas Toast, pickles, and pickled onions. His meal came with two sides — he chose Mac N Cheese, and French Fries.
Halfway through my meal, I was convinced I was going to give Bodacious Four Forks. I was really enjoying the food, service, and atmosphere. But then, I asked my friend how his meal tasted.
In short, not as good as mine.
He said the brisket was cold and tough, contrary to his first visit when the brisket was warm and tender. He said the “hot” sausage wasn’t hot at all, and didn’t even have a kick. His disappointment continued with the mac n cheese, saying it had way too much black pepper, so much that he tasted more pepper than mac.
Hmmm. Even though I liked my meal, I was bummed that he didn’t like his.
To help salvage my friend’s dining experience, I urged him to have one of Boadcious’ five desserts (remember, I’m trying to lose a few pounds). It didn’t take much urging, as he chose Chocolate Lava Cake ($7). Destiny asked if he would like ice cream with his cake, and in fact, the menu says the cake is served with ice cream. He said, “Yes”. However, our receipt showed a $1 charge for the ice cream.
Ain’t nothing free any more.
My friend ate the cake almost as fast as he drank his water to chase that hot dip. He cleaned the bowl, which seconds earlier was home to a round piece of chocolate cake, drizzled in chocolate syrup, and topped with a small scoop of ice cream. My friend said the dessert was delicious, and that there was a “big pile of chocolate syrup inside that oozed out” when bitten into.
The cost of our meal before tax and tip was $78.71. Although not noted on its menu, Bodacious charges extra if you don’t pay with cash. I appreciated that their tip suggestions were based on the subtotal, and not the after-tax total.
Even though I enjoyed my lunch, I have to consider that my friend did not. So, I give Bodacious Bar & Q Three Forks. My suggestion — really, my friend’s suggestion — is that they make sure the “hot” sausage is hot with spice, the brisket is better cooked, and that they go easy on the pepper when making the mac n cheese. If so, another trip to Bodacious may result in Four Forks.
Is there a restaurant you would like the Journal to visit? Email SBJRestaurantReview@gmail.com.
1 Fork: Would rather eat a box of dirt
2 Forks: Will return, but only if someone else is buying
3 Forks: Will return and look forward to it
4 Forks: Will return and go out of my way to do so
2 Forks: Will return, but only if someone else is buying
3 Forks: Will return and look forward to it
4 Forks: Will return and go out of my way to do so
