I love barbeque ribs! I love finding little out of the way rib places. So I was excited as we were coming into the area and I saw the billboard advertising Tail O’ The Pup and their BBQ. I had to try it. They are located on Route 86, halfway between Lake Placid & Saranac Lake in Plattsburgh, NY 12901 (518-891-0777).
My wife and I had just finished climbing Cascade Mountain (I climbed, she only made it a half mile in), and were on our way back to the campground near Tupper Lake. We wanted to find a restroom and something to eat. As we passed Tail O’f The Pup, I said let’s go there. I had originally thought dinner would be good, but since we were here at lunch time, what the heck!
We took turns using the restrooms, while the other stayed at a table with our eye on our dog in the car. Be aware that the lock on the men’s room doesn’t seem to work, and you need to use the latch. I found this when the door came flying open as I was sitting on the john.
Then we prepared to order. The signature dish seemed to be the King Eddie’s Crown Rack Ribs (serves 2). So we ordered it, and a couple soft drinks. The servers were all cute girls, and the service was very good. The food came pretty fast. The rack of ribs came rolled into a tight circle pinned together with skewers. It was filled with, and surrounded by cross-cut fries. It also came with a couple ears of corn on the cob, and a couple plastic cups of cole slaw. It was an interesting presentation.
I tried the ribs. The first thing I noticed was a burnt taste. There was a sub-flavor of burned grease. Yuck! There was a bottle of the BBQ sauce on the table, and this helped. But that burning grease taste was always there. The fries were okay. Having braces, I had to slice the corn off of the cob to eat it which was slow and messy, but I thought the corn was okay. My wife didn’t care for the corn though. She ate some of the cole slaw (I don’t like cole slaw) and said it was just okay.
The whole meal cost over $30 with tip. Kind of expensive for what we got. I was kind of disappointed by the ribs. Maybe the burned grease taste was unusual. Maybe they had a small flare up on the grill as they were preparing them. I don’t know. But I probably won’t eat eat there again.
Wow. This place is great and I am from the South, BBQ land and seafood heaven. Both were top notch and we make it a special 300 mile trip on the bike just to eat their steamers. Infact going in the AM. Maybe after putting your wife down, she only made it a half mile in, and this place, you might get a taste of class.
Comment by horse — August 5, 2006 @ 6:48 pm
This place got raving reviews on a TV show a few years back. We went there expecting wonderful ribs and chicken. Our meals were less than impressive. The meat was very dry and not very flavorful. The bathrooms were rather disgusting. We certainly will not return.
Comment by Susan Gray — January 1, 2007 @ 2:04 am
I absolutely love going to Tail o’ the Pup! We have family up in the area (Malone) and every year we visit, we always make at least one stop for a meal at Tail. Just went yesterday in fact – my sister and I split a rack of ribs and a plate of wings. The ribs were a bit on the fatty side, but nonetheless tasty as can be. We should have sprang for “hot” on the wings, but even mild wings were well worth it – just the right crispness on the outside and full of flavor. We all look forward to this trip every year, and Tail o’ the Pup (and Donnely’s icecream) is definitely the icing on the cake! I don’t think I’ve ever had a bad meal there.
Comment by Elizabeth — June 10, 2007 @ 9:37 pm
I am VERY surprised. I have grown up around here and the Tail ‘o’ the pup is one of my families favorite places to go. We go for overnights and stay at the cabins they have on site. It is a wonderful experience with great food.
Comment by Heather — July 18, 2007 @ 9:59 am
My husband took me to Tail today as a birthday present (and presented me with an IPod while we were sitting down!) It was a 100 mile trip, but worth the drive. The food was EXCELLENT! Our only objection was that the portions for the sides were not that big, and corn bread was considered a side, not something that we think should always be served. We had a ribs appetizer and shared pulled pork and bar-b-que chicken. We bought a bottle of sauce to take home. The sauce is the absolute best. For all you central New Yorkers – it’s better than Dinosaur.
Comment by Maresa — July 27, 2007 @ 10:08 pm
Just came from there today; had so looked forward to trying them out. What a HUGE disappointment.
Our order came to $80 for 3 adults; none of the food was hot; my “I want it all” dinner was tough, dry, and relatively tasteless. The cornbread was hard, the chicken was burnt, and the ribs were inedible.
And to top it off we had to wait an hour to get our meal after ordering. The waitress was too busy taking orders to pick them up and deliver them I guess.
To make matters worse, the couple flies we saw when we first came in turned into dozens by the time our meal was served. It was a LOAD of fun trying to eat while swatting flies away. I think I would have been better off letting them have the meal, then they could have paid for it too.
Horrible!
Comment by Debs — September 1, 2007 @ 4:33 pm
visted the “tail” on Sunday 9/2/07,… took 15 minutes to get waited on, meal was poor at best, staff was stupid at best, live music was okay (better than the food),… afer comments to the owner, it is clear he is a jackass and is only interested in in turning customers and $$$,.. damn the food and service, he basically said who cares, look at all of these people. I’ve been to the tail 3 times,… 3 strikes,… I would not recommmend this to anyone. real bbq is complex and interesting,… the tail serves alpo with kraft sauce. tickityboo-bbq
Comment by all knowing bbq — September 4, 2007 @ 8:01 pm
During the week of September 17th, 2007, my Union, CSEA, was at Lake Placid for our yearly convention. On Tuesday, September 18, 2007, we hosted a barbecue at the TOP for over 300 of our members. An “all you can eat” fest with chicken,ribs,slaw, beans and corbread were offered. In addition a live band was provided as were “smores” and a bonfire. The “Host Committee” from Region IV set out to bring a piece of our beloved Adirondacks from our members from other parts of the state. Responses from the members that attended overwhelmingly indicated that our party was a huge success. Thanks to “Dr. Y” and his entire staff for their service during this party. This event would not have been successful without their efforts. Joseph F. Musso, Chair Region IV Host Committee.
Comment by Joseph F. Musso — September 23, 2007 @ 11:54 am
You people who are moaning are all planks, this is the greatest steak house i have been to. I am from Scotland and know my food. The legend that is the Tail!!
Comment by Lee — October 30, 2007 @ 8:01 pm
Lee, if this was the greatest steak house you have ever been to, I am very sorry for you. Are the steak houses in Scotland really that bad?
Comment by RJ — October 31, 2007 @ 11:13 am
took my family to the Tail o Pup while on vacation July 2005 waited for over 1 hour to be waited on then after ordering the food waited another 45 minutes, watched as other people who had arrived after us got their food. I went and asked for the owner told to go in the kitchen. I told him this was damn poor service he said dont talk like that in front of my wife as he was holding a meat cleaver, said he was going to kick my ass. We didnt even wait for our food got in car and left would never go back
Comment by richard stevens — November 8, 2007 @ 4:16 pm
All I can say is wow! The service was alittle slow but it was packed there. When we put our order in it came quickly. Wow there was alot of food too. Overall it was very nice. Kind of like camping out w/freinds. We ate and drank and listned to live music. We’ll be back next year for sure. A plus food and service.
Comment by Crag Maccue — December 30, 2007 @ 5:03 pm
I am working at Tail o’the pup for the past 3-4 summers. All i can say is that we are doing our best!I cannot understand people who are coming there when it’s packed, and expect to get fast and good service! That’s impossible even when we are over 20 servers there! I can say that there are flies, dirty dishes, disgusting restrooms and the boss is an asshole. Who has ever worked there can confirm that there is not such a thing like “human rights” in this restaurant. The only reason for the staff to be there is that you can make good money, working almost without a break!
It’s not like the waitresses are stupid-they are just foreigners and that explains that sometimes they cannot understand something you say and they are not used to the American culture, food and lifestyle.
I can say that i met wonderfull people there, but the most awful customers ever are the BIKERS!Everybody hates them! They are just rude, noisy, mean. And do not leave good tips! And at Tail we are working mostly for tips!
If it was up to me-I would never eat there, but you can find something good and tasty. I am one of these european waitresses and I have completely different idea for good food, nice restaurant and attitude from the boss.
Comment by Lin-Lin — February 17, 2008 @ 12:50 pm
My family eats at the Tail every summer. Each year it gets bigger and better. I remember when it had seating for about 100, now it’s up to 600 and they pack them in. The staff, a mix of American and European students add to the experience. You can eat ribs and learn about life in the Czech Republic all at once. Our kids love the playground and my wife and I love the live music. We are planning on returning again this summer.
Comment by Freddy — April 17, 2008 @ 11:16 am
As a local, I’m anxiously awaiting the seasonal opening of the Tail O’ the Pup next week. My family loves the food and the kids especially love the nightly bonfire and smores.
Comment by tom — April 17, 2008 @ 3:12 pm
i just love this place,it is wot it is, if you enjoy eating at a picnic table this is the place,good music,foods not bad it can be busy at times so you need to plan accrdingly,it is a bit pricey though
Comment by chet holmes — June 18, 2009 @ 8:12 am
Went to the Tail O Pup on July 12 2009. Sat at picnic table. Several different waitress passed by never acknowledging we were there. Been through this so many times in my life at different diners I took the bull by horns and asked for menus finally. Waitress was very good, except she forgot lemon with my water. Minor infraction. However the meal…We ordered ribs that had been satuarated in smoke flavoring! I was sick all night from 2 ribs and could not finish my meal. The fries were cold and the corn on cob was either a day old or of the frozen nature, The kernels were dried out, as if it was around awhile. The slaw was saturated in mayonaise. It was the worst family meal we have ever spent $60 on.
Comment by Gina Strachan — July 13, 2009 @ 8:25 am
my friends and i stopped in for lunch yesterday. i got a burger and fries. the fries tasted like cardboard. my friends fries also tastes like cardboard. Im not sure if they were old fries or what. My other friends ribs were nothing like what ribs should be, tender, and fall right off the bone. You couldve built furniture with the ribs they sent him. their burger was good but not how i ordered it. The barbecue chicken my friend got couldve doubled for a dog chew toy. Thoroughly unimpressed with an overpriced(80 dollars for 5 people to eat), overhyped restaruant.
Comment by colin ruud — July 19, 2009 @ 1:12 pm
This place blows. The food sucked. the service sucked.
the band was good. the prices were high. the owner was a douchebag. the bathrooms are filthy.
Go to casa del sol a mile down the street or so.
anyplace but this shithole
Comment by James St Dennis — August 7, 2009 @ 4:37 pm
This evening my husband and I stopped at the Tail o’ Pup and was very excited about finally making the time to stop and grab a bite. See it on TV alot and always wanting to stop but always on a schedule. For what we spent I was sooooooooooo disapointed. Perhaps we should have order what they are famous for …the ribs. We spent $50 for the steak special. It came with 2 sides and we chose the red potato salad and corn bread along with baked beans. The portions were insulting. The steak was quite tasty but not worth the money. We also had 2 pints of magic hat. I am sorry I haven’t paid that much in a brew pub in Burlinton where they make the magic hat. The waitress was friendly. I am reluctant to give it another try.
Comment by Melissa Richardson — August 10, 2009 @ 11:11 pm
You don’t get a lot for your money at this restaurant – my family left hungry with a much lighter wallet. The food is good, but I strongly disagree with the reviewer who said that it’s better than the Dinosaur Restaurant.
Comment by Will — August 18, 2009 @ 12:19 pm
THIS PLACE SUCK, RIBS ARE TOUGH, BURNT AND NO MEAT ON THEM. GREASED SOAKED FRIES. DIRTY TABLES, BATHROOMS NOT FIT FOR A DOG. WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT FROM A HOG HOLE. YUCK YUCK YUCK….
Comment by BARACK OBAMA — August 19, 2009 @ 11:30 am
This place is great but… it’s not in Plattsburgh, NY – it’s in Ray Brook, NY.
Comment by Christina — August 23, 2009 @ 3:13 pm
We visited your establishment in August of 08 and the meal and service was excellent and could not wait to go back for more. We were very diappointed the second time around on August 14, 2009. The service was very poor and the pulled pork was terrible it was not even edible, and as I looked around other people had left their pulled pork. We also did not recieve our appetizers until after we had finished the main course. We also discovered that the portions were alot smaller then last year. And we did not recieve our drinks until the end of the meal and they were put in a to go container. We will think twice before returning due to this horrible experince.
Comment by Richard — August 23, 2009 @ 5:38 pm
VERY DISAPPOINTED-My family and I stopped around noon before a shopping trip in nearby Lake Placid.The food was poor quality and not very tasteful.Hot food was warm at best.Coffee was served in soft drink glasses,and was lukewarm.Floors were filthy and we were constantly battling flys throughout the meal.Bathrooms were in outbuildings,and fair at best.The total bill for our family of 4 came to $75.00 plus,which is outrageous for lunch at a roadside stand.I suppose having autographed pictures of celebrities on the walls can justify the high prices.Not recommended.
Comment by David Iannotti — September 1, 2009 @ 11:14 am
Very pleased with the place. A bunch of us bikers rode up Whiteface and decided lets stop at the Pup, so we did. We all loved it. Who cares about the price as long as we were able to eat. No different than getting an ice cream or other foods on the side of the road. If you love the outdoors and not afraid of a bugs, dirt or using an outhouse type of bathroom this is the place to stop at. As a matter of fact my family & I are camping in one of the cabins for the weekend.
Comment by Sherrie — September 14, 2009 @ 6:12 pm
i luv the tail been eating there for years. Great BBQ good music and a nice staff
Comment by john — October 2, 2009 @ 12:42 pm
if you want 5 star go to lake placid. this place is about good food and graet fun. keep up the good work.
Comment by john — October 2, 2009 @ 12:44 pm
I had a great time at the tail of the pup. Kind of a carnival atmosphere, it’s a nice break from the hiking and driving out there. It was 2 years ago that I went, so I can’t really remember what I had but I had fun. I enjoyed the pinball machine that lets you play forever and the 1980s olympic ski lift chair.
Comment by ABH — April 26, 2010 @ 8:31 pm
We ate here at tale o the dog dump and it sucked.The waitress never asked us how are food was the almost dropped my meal in my lapp then grabbed the bill from us and never said thank you.We should have never gave her a tip.She was the Bimbo in the shoirt dress showing off her ugly leggs for tips.Never eat there again.Ribbs had fat in them and the chicken tasteed like sheet rock.
Comment by Bruce — May 1, 2010 @ 9:33 pm
I have to say that I have eaten at Tail O the Pup a couple of different times and the food is hit or miss. Sweet potato fries are good though. The service really does suck! The one comment from the waitress that works there really blows my mind. I have been there as a Biker and with a car and we did get treated like shit as Bikers, so you get what you give bitch…Shit service, shit tip…Was planning a trip back there during Americade, but after reading all this, I think we’ll find another place.
Comment by Mongo — June 2, 2010 @ 10:04 pm
It was our first time visiting Tail and we loved it so much we met back the next night. Our waitress was Jen and she was awesome even took time to show us rental cabins. We went there for the atmosphere not 5 star dining but I would give this place 5 stars cant wait to go back.
Comment by Jennie — June 29, 2010 @ 7:19 pm
We waited for over 1 1/2 hours for our food to come, our drinks truned to water, the Food may be good, the service is so…..so…. bad!!! We watch as people came and went, we complained and hoped for someone to do something about it!! Only to make reason why???? The Food was’t As Good as the Bad service?
Comment by Barb Burns — July 5, 2010 @ 11:57 am
We have been there twice and have been happy both times.We all had brisket the last time and the portion was huge. The garlic wings are awesome also. We stayed in the cabins and they are histerical. talk about primitive. owner needs to invest into the cabins and the furniture arround the firepit is falling apart. The staff consist of all cute young girls and mostly foreign. In talking to a couple of asian girls that work there the us girls treat them badly and don’t share tips and they work 13 hour days helping them serve for peanuts. The owner needs to put some rules in place for tip shareing and improving the living conditions for these young workers. No fans in 95 degree weather for them and no tv etc.. felt bad for them
Comment by John B — July 8, 2010 @ 7:18 pm
Well let’s see… I went to this place because I was hired for the days entertainment. I showed up before noon for the 12:30 to 3:30 show. At that point the owner came over and push us till 1. We played from 1pm till about 3 with a break in between. From there we had a two hour break. So we order up some food . I got the chicken and ribs. The service was good, the refills kept coming and our food was brought out pretty quick. Presentation was so-so. But the food itself was god awful!!! The ribs had a taste like they were left in a propane grill with a NASTY flare up. They were also on the dry side. The chicken had the same taste. I asked the others that order the same thing and they said the same. The sides were sophomoric at best. The rest of the night I kept burping up the nasty burnt taste. YUck! Then beside the terrible food at the end of the night, after playing ALLLLLL day and into the evening the owner shorted the band and was conveniently no where to be found to explain… All in all the whole experience was lack luster. Not to mention the 2hour one way commute. I would say eat somewhere else!!! A Mc Donald’s McRib would be better…
Comment by Tim Howe — July 24, 2010 @ 12:36 am