Welcome to the machine
This is a chain restaurant new to Fresno and to me, so I invited a friend to accompany me and check it out.

The wait wasn't bad, about 10 minutes. We were seated promptly and our server arrived fairly quick. Unfortunately, after our food was served, we considered sticking our legs in the aisle to trip her and get her attention.

First we ordered an appetizer of fried calamari. I found it amusing that the presentation was a copy of the photo on the menu, down to the placement of the lemon wedge. This was tasty.

My friend ordered blackened salmon. He said the taste was fine, except it was a bit overcooked and dry. The rice that came with it was horrid. It was crusty! I couldn't understand how they could serve something that bad, but now I think I know why.

I ordered lobser & shitake mushroom linguini, which came with garlic bread. This was decent, although it felt like something was missing, just a certain oomph in the spices.

While waiting for our main dishes, I noticed a flip chart in the preparation area, with photos of each dish. Now I think I know why the calamari looked like it did and why the rice was so horribly dried out. I think this is not a place with chefs; I think it is a place where microwave-able foods are prepared elsewhere, and an assembly line of workers simply heat and serve.

If you like that sort of thing, by all means check out this place, but if you like real food, you're better off eating at home.    [12 Jun 2002 23:57:40]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 

     ­A nonny mouse   

Excellent!
We were seated immediately, received extremely attentive service and the food was superb!    [28 Jul 2003 12:34:32]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: ribs, chicken strips, tea-lemonade!

     ­Mrs. B, Fresno   

Once Was Enough, Never Woulda Been Better
I waited a few months after their grand opening to try the Elephant Bar, due to unbelievable crowds.

One afternoon mid-week I decided to try them out, but first I checked out their menu online, and decided on the pulled-pork BBQ sandwich (to go).

First, the buns. The lowest-grade crappola bread you can imagine, Wonder Bread; the kind you could roll up into a ball the size of a marble. That kind of bread demands to be toasted and/or grilled, just to give it SOME character (it wasn't).

Next, the pulled-pork. It was dry and not particularly flavorful. The portion amounted to about two-and-a-half bites, didn't even cover the bottom bun, and it wasn't "piled high" either. Lastly, it was under-sauced -- way under-sauced; about a tablespoon's worth of BBQ sauce.

I've watched enough BBQ specials on the Food Network to know the right way it's done. The pork is piled so high it's practically obscene; and if it's not slathered in BBQ sauce, you are served a good-sized bowl of sauce on the side. (Elephant Bar, by the way, did not include a side of BBQ sauce in my take-out box).

The french fries? Totally undercooked and limp, and portion-wise, about two bites worth. The BBQ baked beans? As ordinary as dirt, and about two spoonfuls worth.

I can't comment on any of their other dishes, and the pictures on their website did look mouthwatering; but to send out of the kitchen what I took home -- to me it was proof positive that no one in that restaurant gives a flying rat's ass, no "pride of ownership".

(I remember seeing on TV a head chef at a four-star restaurant who stated that he hired new chefs almost solely on one test -- he would ask them to go into the kitchen and cook him some eggs, any style. He said the egg test never failed him, that cooking exceptional eggs was a fine art and was very telling about a chef's skills.)

For me, that pulled-pork sandwich was my "egg test", and Elephant Bar failed miserably.

So I've never been back.

PS. As for their BBQ sauce, I've had better at Arby's, if you know what I mean    [18 Nov 2003 13:55:57]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: None

     ­Ron G.   

My Review
Let's see...I've been there numerous times (that should tell you something right there).
The atmosphere when you FIRST hit the door is great; it really sets the mood.

Dark wood/colors; earthy and classy, yet comfortable.

The drinks (mixed) were perfect. My date LOVED their ribs. Very, very difficult to find ribs where the sauce doesn't taste like it just came from a can from the local grocery store.

If you want an atmosphere that's comfortable, classy-yet not stuffy, clean, flavorful food. Go here!!    [13 Feb 2004 18:21:07]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: Ribs

     ­Anonymous