Today dining in I was served food with hair in it. It had to fall on it prior to the cut because it was through the sliced chicken. Discussed but Ive dined here for years and never had issues. So I quietly motion to the waiter and privately show him and ask if it can be replaced. Intentionally not making a scene while they have a huge line inside. He apologized and said it would be replaced. I was quickly brought a plate that had a significantly smaller portion as well as it was now dark meat and not the white meat which I returned. I immediately tell the waiter I didn't order that, I wanted the white meat replaced. He tells the lady she speaks in Spanish and says no white meat left. (Which I don't believe) I tell him ok no problem please cancel my order, as well as sides that I was waiting on. He said ok and left the plate on the table. The other person dining with completes their food and goes to pay. She now attempts to charge me for the food. I explained you couldn't replace it and it's hair in it. She says well you still have to pay for it , I changed it twice for you. Which was false it was only sent back with the hair and her fault! Knowing it was her half grey, half black strands of hair in my food she still proceeds to argue with me saying to pay for uneaten plate. Going back and forth as if I'm being unreasonable for not eating her hair. After telling her you served me your hair and now charging me because I was quite about as not to scare off customers. The nerve you have to have to argue to some one who gives you a second chance after a disgusting food experience. She continued to disagree until the waiter decided to cover what was clearly her hair /fault as to deescalate the problem. So disappointing I would hate to dine or even work with her. I explained even after your still cooking, and running around with no hairnet. She continued to disagree the other waiter decided to cover what was clearly her hair/fault as to descalate the issue that was not his fault. ? I just left headed and to Champion Smokehouse BBQ this is unacceptable customer service. I only took pics of the replacement plate smh because I trusted they would handle it properly never again.You can view pics on other google reviews to see the difference in how the Jerk chicken is normally served and what I received as the replacement. Ive ordered this too not notice she tried to play me on the portions and charge me. Note the gentleman was nice and had excellent customer service. The older Latina woman in the back this review is for you!
Food: 1
Service: 1
Jason Carver
Carmen BBQ in Hayward was a good place to order from on Door Dash but now I am being hit with fees of $6.49 plus other charges just to have food delivered from them. I will order from Emil Villa which does not have the expanded charges.
Food: 5
Service: 5
David Baker
Carmen's has some of the best BBQ in the Bay Area. They have their own take on BBQ, so it might not be to everyone's liking. The brisket is very tasty, but you get chopped up pieces rather than the long strips of beef more typically found. They're hot sauce is hotter than most, and is my favorite. The greens are fantastic. The service is always kind and helpful.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
Steven Trinh
This place has a cool old school feeling to it. The barbecue that they serve is okay. Ordered the two meat plate.Apparently the jerk chicken cannot be part of the combo so you have to pick from the other options. I went with brisket and ribs. The brisket was on the lean side and it was good. Has a nice bite to them. The ribs is okay. There is a bit of bite to it which doesn't bother me. Their spicy bbq sauce is great! Would recommend the spicy bbq sauce that they pour over the bbq.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Josh Garcia
Great BBQ! Service is awesome. Ladies are attentive and personable. Flavorful. Would recommend this gem any day. All my employees loved it!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: 2-Way Ribs N Link Sausage, Home-Made Beef Links Lunch
walter houston
Food pretty good Oxtails a little tough but tasty........seems like the Mexican staff hates black people I know I'm not the only person who's felt that.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Brandon Jinnies
Far as the meat, I only got the chicken, and to my surprise, the chicken was very dry and flavorless…. But it doesn’t stop there. The yams were amazing and the Jamaican soda was Mui Caliente.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 5
Susie D.
Sorry to see negative reviews. I stopped in for hot links & medium sauce. They were delicious. Fresh, tender (not dry). Paid w/credit card - no problem. Met Carmen's oldest granddaughter, she was lovely & kind.
Always delicious and freshly made. Love the links with mild sauce and greens with cornbread and baked beans. Service is always great and I come now all the way from Stockton. Thanks Carmen
TC Freebird
I had been away from the Bay Area for over 34 years, so while visiting recently for a reunion, I stoped by all my old stomping grounds from my younger life. I ran by Carmen’s and about came out of my truck seat with excitement! I told mom, “Trust me, you gotta try this place!” We went in and ordered the two meats plate. We each got pork ribs and beef links. It came with potato salad and a whole lotta love. The food was as scrumptious as I remembered it to be. The quality never declined, the service was as perfect as anyone could wish for, and the decor was actually a lil more cozier than I recall from nearly four decades ago. The food is made with pure love and you can taste it.When it comes to quality service, we all hope for the best. Upon arriving, I did not park in the handicap space at backend of the lot. I parked directly in front of the shop and needed to get mom out of her wheelchair to step up the curb. Before I realized it, we were being helped up the curb by the family who runs this fine food restaurant. And that was before we went inside to look at a menu. Upon leaving, they again helped me get mom off the curb while remaining in her chair. I have a great appreciation for quality customer service, and an even deeper sense of gratitude when it goes three steps further and makes us feel like family.If you want quality customer service and to be made to reflect like family—- you don’t have to look any further than Carmen and Family BBQ in Hayward. Just like me, you’ll make a special trip to sink your teeth into it again. I certainly did. From clear across the state! Worth the trip. Worth it in every bite.
The food was good overall The ribs were fatty and tasted old and it was terribly expensive.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Randy W.
I was raised in Kansas City, the original "home" for some of the great BBQ's. Never had good BBQ in California so I suppose it was not the "thing" here UNTIL I WENT TO CARMEN'S......WOW FIVE STARS for the BEST BBQ west of Kansas City!!!! The ribs, cheicken, brisket ALL incredible along with the homemade peach cobbler. They also serve a limited menu on Sunday of Jamican food. Good food does not come cheap and cheap food does not come good, you will pay a bit more but WORTH IT!!! Yum!!!
Aaron C.
I L U ! est. since 1978 !Best service ! Best food ! And an a Beautifuls smiles alls that whilsts...hic! Must be that Red Stripe someshines from them bottles !
Today dining in I was served food with hair in it. It had to fall on it prior to the cut because it was through the sliced chicken. Discussed but Ive dined here for years and never had issues. So I quietly motion to the waiter and privately show him and ask if it can be replaced. Intentionally not making a scene while they have a huge line inside. He apologized and said it would be replaced. I was quickly brought a plate that had a significantly smaller portion as well as it was now dark meat and not the white meat which I returned. I immediately tell the waiter I didn't order that, I wanted the white meat replaced. He tells the lady she speaks in Spanish and says no white meat left. (Which I don't believe) I tell him ok no problem please cancel my order, as well as sides that I was waiting on. He said ok and left the plate on the table. The other person dining with completes their food and goes to pay. She now attempts to charge me for the food. I explained you couldn't replace it and it's hair in it. She says well you still have to pay for it , I changed it twice for you. Which was false it was only sent back with the hair and her fault! Knowing it was her half grey, half black strands of hair in my food she still proceeds to argue with me saying to pay for uneaten plate. Going back and forth as if I'm being unreasonable for not eating her hair. After telling her you served me your hair and now charging me because I was quite about as not to scare off customers. The nerve you have to have to argue to some one who gives you a second chance after a disgusting food experience. She continued to disagree until the waiter decided to cover what was clearly her hair /fault as to deescalate the problem. So disappointing I would hate to dine or even work with her. I explained even after your still cooking, and running around with no hairnet. She continued to disagree the other waiter decided to cover what was clearly her hair/fault as to descalate the issue that was not his fault. ? I just left headed and to Champion Smokehouse BBQ this is unacceptable customer service. I only took pics of the replacement plate smh because I trusted they would handle it properly never again.You can view pics on other google reviews to see the difference in how the Jerk chicken is normally served and what I received as the replacement. Ive ordered this too not notice she tried to play me on the portions and charge me. Note the gentleman was nice and had excellent customer service. The older Latina woman in the back this review is for you!
Food: 1
Service: 1
Carmen BBQ in Hayward was a good place to order from on Door Dash but now I am being hit with fees of $6.49 plus other charges just to have food delivered from them. I will order from Emil Villa which does not have the expanded charges.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Carmen's has some of the best BBQ in the Bay Area. They have their own take on BBQ, so it might not be to everyone's liking. The brisket is very tasty, but you get chopped up pieces rather than the long strips of beef more typically found. They're hot sauce is hotter than most, and is my favorite. The greens are fantastic. The service is always kind and helpful.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
This place has a cool old school feeling to it. The barbecue that they serve is okay. Ordered the two meat plate.Apparently the jerk chicken cannot be part of the combo so you have to pick from the other options. I went with brisket and ribs. The brisket was on the lean side and it was good. Has a nice bite to them. The ribs is okay. There is a bit of bite to it which doesn't bother me. Their spicy bbq sauce is great! Would recommend the spicy bbq sauce that they pour over the bbq.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Great BBQ! Service is awesome. Ladies are attentive and personable. Flavorful. Would recommend this gem any day. All my employees loved it!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: 2-Way Ribs N Link Sausage, Home-Made Beef Links Lunch
Food pretty good Oxtails a little tough but tasty........seems like the Mexican staff hates black people I know I'm not the only person who's felt that.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Far as the meat, I only got the chicken, and to my surprise, the chicken was very dry and flavorless…. But it doesn’t stop there. The yams were amazing and the Jamaican soda was Mui Caliente.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 5
Sorry to see negative reviews. I stopped in for hot links & medium sauce. They were delicious. Fresh, tender (not dry). Paid w/credit card - no problem. Met Carmen's oldest granddaughter, she was lovely & kind.
It's been around forever. Alway a good place to
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Worth every penny, collard greens are the bomb ?
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Greens and Corn Bread
Restaurantji Recommends
Always delicious and freshly made. Love the links with mild sauce and greens with cornbread and baked beans. Service is always great and I come now all the way from Stockton. Thanks Carmen
I had been away from the Bay Area for over 34 years, so while visiting recently for a reunion, I stoped by all my old stomping grounds from my younger life. I ran by Carmen’s and about came out of my truck seat with excitement! I told mom, “Trust me, you gotta try this place!” We went in and ordered the two meats plate. We each got pork ribs and beef links. It came with potato salad and a whole lotta love. The food was as scrumptious as I remembered it to be. The quality never declined, the service was as perfect as anyone could wish for, and the decor was actually a lil more cozier than I recall from nearly four decades ago. The food is made with pure love and you can taste it.When it comes to quality service, we all hope for the best. Upon arriving, I did not park in the handicap space at backend of the lot. I parked directly in front of the shop and needed to get mom out of her wheelchair to step up the curb. Before I realized it, we were being helped up the curb by the family who runs this fine food restaurant. And that was before we went inside to look at a menu. Upon leaving, they again helped me get mom off the curb while remaining in her chair. I have a great appreciation for quality customer service, and an even deeper sense of gratitude when it goes three steps further and makes us feel like family.If you want quality customer service and to be made to reflect like family—- you don’t have to look any further than Carmen and Family BBQ in Hayward. Just like me, you’ll make a special trip to sink your teeth into it again. I certainly did. From clear across the state! Worth the trip. Worth it in every bite.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cornbread, Mild, Bottled Water, Peach Cobbler, Baked Beans, Scalloped Potatoes w Bacon, Pork Ribs BBQ, Homemade Beef Links
The food was good overall The ribs were fatty and tasted old and it was terribly expensive.
Food: 5
Service: 5
I was raised in Kansas City, the original "home" for some of the great BBQ's. Never had good BBQ in California so I suppose it was not the "thing" here UNTIL I WENT TO CARMEN'S......WOW FIVE STARS for the BEST BBQ west of Kansas City!!!! The ribs, cheicken, brisket ALL incredible along with the homemade peach cobbler. They also serve a limited menu on Sunday of Jamican food. Good food does not come cheap and cheap food does not come good, you will pay a bit more but WORTH IT!!! Yum!!!
I L U ! est. since 1978 !Best service ! Best food ! And an a Beautifuls smiles alls that whilsts...hic! Must be that Red Stripe someshines from them bottles !