The Bank BBQ coming soon downtown

[thelakelander]

The old Cafe 331/Sweet Lady Blue restaurant at 331 W Forsyth Street is being converted into a new restaurant called The Bank BBQ. The interior has already been gutted out. According to https://buildinginspections.coj.net/, a few mechanical permits are now active.

[BoldCityRealist]

This could be cool if they do a nice build out! 331 always felt kinda half-assed just due to the budgetary restraints the previous owners had. Hoping these folks have some $$$!

[thelakelander]

The interior has been striped to the bone....kitchen, walls, and everything. Whatever is going in will be completely new.

[fsujax]

Will be nice to have a decent sit down BBQ place in downtown. Jenkins is good but not very inviting to dine in.

[Westside Guy]

Drove down Forsyth today and there were for sale signs in the windows. Looks like they're closed for good.

[remc86007]

Counter service, overpiced and underwhelming BBQ. Hard to justify when the Bearded Pig is a Skyway ride away.

[MusicMan]

Bearded Pig was underwhelming the ONE time I went. Has it improved?

[remc86007]

I really enjoy their brisket sandwich and Mac and cheese.

[Westside Guy]

Bearded Pig was underwhelming the ONE time I went. Has it improved?

Every time I've gone it's been as good as advertised. It's my go to spot before I go to the baseball grounds to catch a game.

[MusicMan]

OK my fav is Gilbert Social but I will make it a point to go again.

[Snaketoz]

I miss the old "mom and pop" BBQ places we used to have.  There are few left and the chains make it tough to compete.  What we have now is your generic places that are all about the same.  Pre-packaged sauce, reheated meat, and nothing that stands out as unique.  Much the same as most Mexican places.  Same old stuff at every Mexican place in the US.  Mushy hamburger meat, cheese, and salt, microwaved to a perfect cool temperature. 

[thelakelander]

Try Jenkins, Cottens, The Pig, Jerome Brown's, etc. Luckily, we still have are fair share of long-time local bbq joints.

[jaxjaguar]

^Bonos, the pig, Monroe's and mojo are all local and smoke their meats daily. Just because they don't look like a hole in the wall doesn't mean they aren't good.

[Snaketoz]

Thanks guys, but I've tried all of these.  Bono's was pretty good back in the early 60s, but like the others not what I'm talking about.  All of these places except the Pig on Lem Turner would be 3rd-4th string then.  Taylor's BBQ on W. Church, Tally Ho on N. Main, and several others put those to shame.  No, the décor doesn't add anything to the quality.  Mojo's isn't close to being in the same league.  Cotton's/Jenkin's is the best mentioned.

[riverside_mail]

OK my fav is Gilbert Social but I will make it a point to go again.

Mine as well. Can't wait for Chef Gilbert to open up his new place in the old Il Desco.