Claxon's Smokehouse & Grill

My wife and I have been to Claxon‘s on three occations. Each time it has been because we are looking for something a bit different than the usual. And each time the food has been very good. But the reason for my low rating is that each time the service has been possibly the worst I have ever gotten anywhere. I‘d like to say we have been unlucky but I have watched as other tables around us have also received poor service. Based on the quality of the food even if the place had average service we would probably dine there more often. But with service as bad as it is here we‘d have to be pretty hungry to come back.

My husband daughter and son attented a food show in Des Moines on Tuesday April 28th 2009 ate at this establishment on Sunday evening. Everything was cold, and had no flavor! Our service was ok, but should have been better since there was few guests. Too much talking in the back. My wine was old and the bud light lime warm, warm cosmo, but Margarita good. I wasn‘t charged for the bud and wine. The fritter was burnt awful awful awful. We didnt complain directly because we get so few family outings, and to complaiin is a drag. I know things happen, but not that many flaws! Will we go back never. Sorry for this review for I am a food critic and love to recommend. We shiould have stuck to a ma and pa shop.

Just came from Claxton‘s 1st time ordering there-me and my husband are die hard Hickory Park in Ames fans, he is a meat person and I am a sides person-walked in ordered for carry out-it was around 1:45pm on a Friday. My husband was leary wanted to stick with Hickory Park but i just had to try Claxtons so he waited in the car and I went in and ordered we were going to call in his order to Ames when I came out-I ordered the Ribs and Smoked meat combo 1/3 rack ribs, 2meat choices, (pulled pork, brisket, turkey, ham) I ordered turkey, brisket, ribs-my big thing is loaded sweet potatoes and mashed potatoes so when I saw this on the menu the gentleman handed me I was estatic, the sweet potatoes were a $1 more to add to any order mas

December 30, 2008.....I have eaten at Claxton‘s before but it has been a couple of years. The food was great then but this time it was awful. We had made reservations for a party of 30 for a birthday party. The reservations were for 6:30, we did not even get seated until probably closer to 7. Then we had to wait until 8 to even order food. They apparently only had one waitress for our entire party. By the time we actually got our food which was about 8:45, most of the steaks, sandwiches, etc were cold. It was the worst dining experience I have ever had and we will NOT go back. They didn‘t even give us a discount on the food. We even had a couple of people get up and leave without food because it took so long. Then to make matters worse, after the poor service and awful food, it took another 30 minutes to even get our tickets so we could pay our non-discounted dinners.

Mother‘s Day---It‘s been awhile since my husband and I have eaten here. We will definatly NOT be back. They were out of Fettucine Alfredo (I was looking forward to having pasta) so I ordered the breaded tenderloin as well as my husband. After waiting forever for our meal to arrive, both of our sandwiches were cold and tasteless . I ordered a baked sweet potatoe and ockra cornbread. The potatoe I got was large and hard as a rock. I sent it back and got a very small burnt one. The cornbread was hard and dry. I was very dissappointed in my Mothers Day meal.

The first time I dined at Claxon‘s was memorable, it was a couple of years ago at the old location, we ate outside on the patio, the ribs were awesome... I chose to go again for my birthday.

This time was at the new restaurant. The new building isn‘t very nice on the inside, pretty plain, and seemed small, cramped if you needed to get a wheelchair in, but more than enough seating for the crowd at 6 on a Saturday night. The ribs were very tough, thought maybe they‘d fall off the bone, but I had to saw and gnaw on them. Sides were forgotten at our table and another, and the waitress explained that she was alone.

I just don‘t understand how they claim to Taste So Good It Makes Your Tongue Slap Your Brains Out

I personally had amazing service. Not just by our assigned server, but alot of the staff. You can tell it is a very team oriented restaurant. I never had to ask for a refill, or for a plate to be picked up, it was just done, and in a very polite way! The food was great! My husband had the Cajun prime rib, you could cut it with a fork. The flavor was amazing, it could melt in your mouth .I had the Killer combo, the variety of smoked meats was great. Only thing to complain about would be no bread before. Seems, that in that type of restaurant its needed. I absolutely will be back!

The food at Claxon‘s is good. No complaints there...Their new building however is a architectural disaster. It is painfully cramped and VERY loud inside. The bathrooms are ridiculously small too and the restaurant decor leaves alot to be desired.

Summary good food, horrible atmosphere.

It was a wonderful time. I will so be back!

Some of the worst service I‘ve ever had. Food didn‘t make up for it.

The pulled pork was acceptable, almost good. The brisket was dry and tasteless, and the ribs were so tough that I wouldn‘t even give them to my dog.

Terrible dining experience.