Big Lem’s Barbecue

Place is no longer in business.

Having spent a few days in South Lake Tahoe, we must have been in a gambling mood when we decided to try Big Lem’s Barbecue on our side trip to Oroville to pick up a collectible sports equipment that a friend had purchased. We found the restaurant in Unilocal,and chose it over Applebee’s, thinking that trying a local eatery would always be much better than going to a chain restaurant.
There was a phrase in the previous review by John H. (first and only on Unilocal in 2007 — that should have been a clue) that did not resonate with us until all was over and done with: «the shining star in a sea of mediocrity here in Oroville.»
I ordered the Rib Plate (four ribs with two sides at $ 10.95). When I asked for coleslaw, they asked me if I wanted it «wetter» or «drier.» I responded with a confused, «However you serve it.» My companions ordered another Rib Plate and a Tri-​tip Plate.
Maybe I’m partial to dry-​rubbed Kansas City style barbecue (sauce on the side), but I thought the sauce was watery and not very flavorful. The meat, however, was tender and juicy. I give the protein a 2 out of 5.
I liked the coleslaw so I didn’t bother to find out if it was the wetter or drier style. I give it a 3 out of 5.
I have to agree with the first reviewer about the baked beans. I don’t think it was home-​made. I thought it had a little vinegary taste, but my friend was almost convinved that the taste was due to spoilage. I chose to stick to the vinegar idea; ninety minutes after the meal, I was still fine. I give it a 1 out of 5.
Messing up a fountain drink is difficult to do, but they succeeded. My soda did not have any fizz. I thought about asking for a new cup, but the staff seemed to be genuinely nice, earnest people that I decided to just finish my first cup without asking for a replacement.
I could see that Big Lem’s could be a local favorite. They had a catering truck parked out front. But the general feeling that I had was that of going to a Saturday afternoon barbecue party hosted by a distant relative: you couldn’t possibly enjoy the food served on three-​section styrofoam plates acccompanied by a plastic fork, but you couldn’t complain about it either because no one twisted your arm to go. At a total cost of $ 43.00 for three people, the meal was way overpriced.
We gambled and we lost our bet on the «shinnig star in a sea of mediocrity here in Oroville.» The quote, alas, is very true. At least we know where not to go the next time (if ever) we find ourselves on Oro Dam Road. This knowledge, and an order of KFC Popcorn Chicken and apple turnovers as soon as we turned the corner, made us feel better about ourselves on our drive back to San Francisco.