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My wife, Sharlene, and I were invited to spend Christmas, 2006, at my brother Michael's home, in my home town of Merced, California, perhaps best known as the "Gateway to Yosemite." Michael knows that I love good barbecue, and consider myself a barbecue "snob," so he recommended that my wife, Sharlene, and I meet him and his family at Big Bubba's Bad BBQ, located at 18th and M streets, in downtown Merced. He said that we'd be in for a real treat, but didn't elaborate much on that simple statement. When pressed, he did qualify my questions that Big Bubba serves good barbecue, which was all that I needed to jump-start me into the fast track, in the direction of Bubba's.
Photo: Big Bubba's BBQ is located at the corner of 18th and M Streets, in Merced, and the place is eay to find. There is plenty of free parking, even on this foggy Christmas Eve afternoon, December 24, 2006.
Photo: The author poses on Bubba's pig with his beautiful neice, Elizabeth, a.k.a. as "Lizzie." Before I really get started on our dining experience at Big Bubba's Bad BBQ, I think a little history about Bubba's is in order, as it should make your Bubba's experience a tad more interesting. Bubba's is located in a building that served as Merced's Central Fire Station, from 1953 until 1997, when a new central fire station was constructed, several blocks away. The building sat unused for four years, until The Firehouse Brewpub opened in 2001, featuring a micro-brewery, and a menu of food, that showcased a varied menu, but was heavily tilted toward California-style bistro cuisine. The restaurant closed in 2002, but re-opened again in August of 2004, to mixed reviews. I first had the opportunity to sample Firehouse's cuisine in August of 2005, and I was very impressed by the fine micro brews that they brewed in-house, and the fine, vegetarian Ortega burger that I ordered from their bistro menu. During Christmas, 2005 visit to family members, (I have many family members living in Merced...) we decided to eat lunch at Firehouse, but we were very disappointed, as the service was almost non-existent, the atmosphere seemed, well... "tense," and the menu had completely changed, and the restaurant was nearly deserted. Yes, I had my notebook and my digital camera with me, and I took many photos and scribbled copious notes, but I just couldn't bring myself to write a review of the place, as I prefer to spend my time writing good reviews, rather than so-so reviews. Despite that fact that the pulled-pork sandwiches we ordered for lunch were uninspired, and loaded with too much ho-humm barbecue sauce and somewhat tepid, the micro-brew selection was outstanding and the beer was to-die-for! After our last visit in December of 2005, The Firehouse put out its last fire, early in 2006...
Photo: A view of Bubba's dining room from the treehouse, as the author has taken a photo looking into the dining room, framed from the artificial tree.
Photo: Big Bubba's features fun, friendly, and informal dining to those who enjoy the finest BBQ in Merced. Big Bad Bubba's BBQ rode into town, early in 2006, upon a mechanical bull, an indoor treehouse, a shooting range, and a mighty fine Texas-style BBQ attitude! After 3 months of renovation, the place was ready to go, and ready to serve fine BBQ in September of 2006. Michael, his friends and family members had visited the place many times, and when the plans were finalized that we'd be spending Christmas with him and his family, we set our sights on Bubba's, as we wanted to experience fine, Texas-style barbecue. As we pulled into Bubba's parking lot, on December 24, 2006, we really didn't know what to expect, except from the fact that Michael had told us to expect delicious barbecue. Yes, I'd surfed Bubba's web site, so I had an idea of what their menu was all about, and the fact that they are a fun, relaxed, and family-oriented barbecue joint. Note the fact that I refer to Bubba's as a "barbecue joint" as opposed to the term, restaurant, as if you're a fan of good barbecue, a "barbecue joint" is a compliment, and a restaurant denotes the place as just another place that serves food. From the parking lot, Sharlene and I noticed that Big Bad Bubba's BBQ had expanded with a somewhat enclosed outdoor seating area, but in the 40-degree, bone-chilling foggy weather that enveloped Merced on Christmas Eve, 2006, it was shuttered, much to no surprise. Michael hadn't arrived, so I had the opportunity to take some outside photos for this article, and I couldn't help but to notice the huge, metal smoker on the "M" Street side of the building, and look through the windows on the "18th St." side of the building, and peer through the windows and notice the micro-brew making apparatus clearly seen throught the front windows. Yes!!! My curiosity, thirst and hunger was building...
Photo: My brother Michael, takes aim at Bubba's shooting gallery.
Photo: Shad, our friendly waiter, brings my sample beers to our table. Michael and his lovely daughter, Elizabeth, arrived shortly, and we began the Bubba's experience. As you approach the front entrance of Bubba's there is a pink pig, that invites you to sit on it and have your photo taken, which wasn't hard for me to do, as I hugged my beautiful niece for the photo. When you open the door to Bubba's, you're greeted with their trademark cow mascot, which advertises the fact that they serve great barbecue, sell souvenir T-shirts, sell in-house BBQ sauce, and that you're about to embark upon a fun, barbecue experience. The friendly hostess, Dana, who was later to be observed as a champion mechanical bull rider, pointed out that the "cow" is a backdrop for photos, and to prove the point, I had my photo taken, by the cow in a Bubba-classic pose. We were seated by our friendly hostess Dana, to a table for six, as Michael's charming wife Margi was to join us a little later, along with their daughter Emily, who is enthusiastic about everything, especially life in general. My mouth was agape as I took in the sights that awaited me at Bubba's, including: A) Mechanical bull and stage, complete with sound and video system to my left (I hadn't seen a mechanical bull since a visit to Gilley's Bar, in Fort Worth, Texas a few years back...) B) The huge treehouse, front and center stage, and C) The, complete, full-service bar to the right of us. Within seconds, our charming waiter, Shad, produced menus and offered to take drink orders. I asked him about the former microbrew sampler that former Firehouse menu used to offer, and he assured me that despite the 3-month makeover and the many changes that had occurred, the beer samples were still intact. Oh yes! I ordered the micro-brew samples and the rest of the party ordered soft drinks. Shad informed me that Big Bubba's Bad BBQ has future plans to market their fine in-house brewed micro-brewed beer under the label of Rascal Creek Brew, a spoof on a local, untamed creek with the name of Black Rascal Creek, that has caused much havoc to the City of Merced over the years. At this point, Margi and Emily arrived, and we took additional drink orders, and everyone ordered their lunch from Bubba's extensive menu. Bubba's menu features something for everyone, and something for every taste, ranging from truly healthful to extravagant, I-don't-care-about-fat taste, but with everything in between. To delight the vegetarian crowd, their menu includes many vegetarian dished. No matter what your preference is, Big Bubba's will have a dish to please you.
Photo: Here's a close-up photo fo the beers that the in-house Rascal Creek Brewery has to offer.
Photo: Beautiful Dana strikes a classic pose before she rides Bubba's mechanical bull. While the girls socialized, Michael offered to take me around and show me the place, as I hadn't been in the joint since the Firehouse days. We first climbed the spiral staircase to the treehouse, which affords a bird's eye view of the bar (Oh yeah!) and the diners below. After admiring the restaurant from the treehouse, it was time to descend the sairs, and proceed to the rear of the restaurant, which in the 1950's was actually an annex of Merced City Hall, and had served as an overflow dining area of the former Firehouse Restaurant. Bubba's has changed that dowdy history, as now there's a full-service indoor shooting gallery, located in the annex, a dining room, complete with a rustic jail decor, including a barred dining area, and a big screen television, where diners, at this outpost of the barbecue joint, can watch the antics of the daredevils who choose to challenge the mechanical bull. How would I describe Big Bubba's Bad to the bone BBQ? How about a combination of a traditional barbecue joint, a Texas honky-tonk, a sports bar, and a whole lot of Disneyland thrown into the mix. Bubba's is all of the aforementioned stuff, plus a lot of fun, a family-friendly place to dine, and a place where a group of friends can enjoy each other's company all evening long, not to mention enjoy a fantastic barbecue meal.
Photo: Dana conquors the mechanical bull, sans hands, meaning that she's a better lady bull rider than I am a dude bull rider. Geezzzz!
Photo: We were treated to two waiters brining our food to the table. Bubba's offers friendly and efficient service. Big Bubba's is family-friendly, and the staff are friendly, efficient and enthusiastic about what they do and what the place stands for. They greet you, they welcome you, and they make you feel like you're special, and that they're glad you came to visit them. The minute that you step into Bubba's you feel like you're at home, with the family, and you can relax, and have fun. After sampling the six different micro-brews produced in-house, I decided to order a gigantic, 34-oz mug of Yosemite Red, my favorite of the in-house brewed beers. Our waiter Shad was clad in a black and white shirt, with a print which resembled the hide of a cow. That's part of the "uniform" of Bubba's, as the staff members wear "cow print" shirts, and every once in awhile, the staff will break out into a Texas-country style line dance, when the proper country song is played. Oh yes, if you're a fan of country music, much as I am, you'll find Bubba's plays country music, however, the volume of the music is just right, as it doesn't interfere with conversation, nor is it appear overly intrusive. Despite the non-intrusive music, when the staff performs line-dance routines, the volume of the music is increased and the event is televised to the entire complex over the big-screen TVs, overriding the football games in progress... probably as the Dallas Cowboys football team are going to score another touchdown. Darn! I love country music and I love line dancing, and it's a pleasure to see the staff perform a line dance routine. However, if you're a fan of country and western music, I specifically mean rodeo music, particularly Chris LeDoux, Bubba's music is great, as I heard three of Chris's songs in the two enjoyable hours that we spent at the barbecue joint. For me, Chris LeDoux is music to my ears...
Photo: Our friendly server, Shad, takes our photo. from Left to right, Michael, Margi, Elizabeth, Emily, Sharlene and Eric, all with the surname of Rench. Can you guess we're related?
Photo: A close-up photo of my double cheeseburger and side salad, which truly made an outstanding and filling lunch. Noe the flag on top of the "Bubba's" burger. Not shown in the photo is everybody else's wonderful lunch. Great burger! We were served our orders, and when we requested him to do so, our fantastic waited Shad snapped our photo. I won't go into describing the lunch entreés that other members of our party had ordered, but I ordered the double cheeseburger, as I can't resift a good burger, especially if its grilled over mesquite. The default side dish severed at Bubba's Texas Tators, which in itself is an inspiration to potato lovers and the rest of the world, but I wanted a lighter side dish, so I opted for a garden salad, which Shad happily substituted. Big Bubba's allows you to substitute anything from their extensive side dish menu if Texas Tators isn't to your preference, which is an attractive alternative to me. I like to choose my side dish. My double cheeseburger was grilled perfectly to a medium texture, as I had ordered, and was scored with attractive grill marks. The meat was seared on the outside, but left juicy on the inside, which is the way I prefer my burgers. Since it was a cheeseburger, it came with two slices of cheese, melted to perfection on top of the hamburger patties. The lettuce, tomato slices and dill pickle slices weren't grilled, as they had been placed on the burger after it had been cooked, so they were fresh and crisp, not slimy, as many post-grilled veggies are when placed on a burger. Mustard and mayonnaise were placed on the burger, and in-house barbecue sauce was offered on the side, in the time-honored, Texas tradition. The side salad was fresh, crispy and delicious, and if my diet would have allowed it, I would have ordered from their mouth-watering side dish menu.
Photo: The staff, led by our fabulous waiter Shad, break out to a line dance routine, to entertain the diners.
Photo: I pose on the mechanical bull. When I was egged on by family and staff, what else could I do but ride the thing? Ride 'em cowboy!!! Big Bubba's Bad BBQ is not all about outstanding, barbecue cuisine, it's about fun too! And I mean Bubba's includes fun for the whole family, or a group of friends, as I can't think of a more fun, friend and family-friendly place to spend a weekend night than Bubba's... As we were dining, we watched a whole parade of patrons and employee's, including our beautiful cashier Dana, and our charming waiter Shad ride the mechanical bull. I decided to make my move... Never the shy, wallflower type that I am, and after drinking the micro-brew samples and the giant 34-oz mub of Yosemite Red, and after consuming Bubba's delicious cheeseburger, I volunteered to ride bull, much to the delight of my family members. So I strode up to the bull pen, signed my life insurance life waiver away, donned a black, Texas-style cowboy hat, and mounted the mechanical bull. Albert, the tall guy that operated the mechanical bull, along with his helper, strikingly beautiful Becky, who is a Swiss-army-knife sort of Bubba's staff member, advised me, "OK, cowboy, hold onto the reins, and the bucking bull ride is to begin!" Later, Albert told me that he was very instrumental in designing the mechanical bull ride, keeping mind safety factors. Sure, you have to sign an insurance waiver, which is standard operating procedure around just about anything, but Albert has made sure that the area around the bull is well protected with padding, and it would talk almost an Act of Congress to get hurt. So I signed my waiver and held onto the reins with my left hand, as I wanted to wave, and look macho with my right hand.
Photo: Your author signals "thumbs up" after adjusting to 8 seconds of jostling, circles and other mind-altering experiences. Unlike some places in the world, instead of offering you 15 minutes of fame, Big Bad Bubba's BBQ only offers the bull rider 8 seconds of fame, as that's how long the bull ride lasts. As I started my 8 seconds to fame, I'm quite sure that Albert gave me the worst of it, as I had razzed and heckled him prior to my ascent on the bull, so naturally he had to "crank it up." Yes, the thing rocks, rolls and jars you, up and down, all within milliseconds. I held on to the reign with my left hand, and basically rode it out, which was OK, until the bull started to ride in circles. I can't stand circles, as I get dizzy, so I opted to "bail" to avoid future issues. Sure, I rode the bull after a lot of beer, and a full meal, which contributed to my huge amount of caution. Bummer, as I'd left my cowboy boots at home... In looking back at the whole thing, I'd ride the bull again, after drinking a couple of beers but definitely before eating a full meal. For me, there were no after affects, except for the ribbing of friends, acquaintances and family members. However, if you visit Big Bubba's, you should ride the bull!
Photo: Beckey and Albert talk abou the sound system, after Becky has completed a sucessful ride on Bubba's bull.
Photo: Shad and Becky do a "hi-five" after Shad completed a very sucucessful ride on the mechanical bull. So what is Big Bubba's Bad BBQ? In a single phrase, an enjoyable, family friendly, entertaining, barbecue experience. If you're interested in a lot of fun, outstanding micro-brew beer, a full-service bar, friendly and entertaining staff members, and an unforgettable barbecue experience, check out Big Bubba's Bad BBQ in Merced. As an aside, you'll enjoy some of the best barbecue that I've ever had the pleasure to review in the Central San Joaquin Valley of California. Big Bubba's Bad BBQ is highly recommended!
Photo: The mechanical bull is to the left of the photo, tall Albert is in the center, and Becky poses to the right, after she completed a ride on the mechanical bull. Albert is the principal engineer of the bull, but Becky gives him input in regards to the care and feeding of it. Whatever, these are nice people! Big Bubba's Bad BBQ has risen, like a phoenix, out of the charred ashes of the former Firehouse Brewpub Restaurant, and mounted their mechanical bull, and faced the facts head-on that Mercedians like: a) Outstanding barbecue b) Outstanding and friendly service c) Fun! Fun! and more fun... d) Delicious in-house micro-brewed beer, and perhaps most importantly e) A place where the whole family will feel at home and enjoy themselves. As an aside, as we were in the restaurant's parking lot, Shad, our waiter, now off duty, approached us and enthusiastically told us how much he enjoyed our visit, and how much he had enjoyed serving us. What a guy! As an second aside, we purchased a "I rode the bull at Big Bubba's" T-shirt from Bubba's friendly gift counter, as I just had to have something to wear to work and brag to my co-workers about my experience at Big Bubba's Bad BBQ, in Merced, California. You just can't miss at Bubba's... Big
Bubba's Bad BBQ Copyright(c) 2006 eRench Productions. All rights reserved. This site has been on the web since December 22, 2002.
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