R & R FAMILY KITCHEN - TUCSON, AZ

I've reviewed this restaurant before when it was located on Speedway and Wilmot (near Trader Joe's) and when the name was R & R BBQ. Even though the owner is  dour and gruff and has an unwelcoming stern manner, we kept coming back because the beef brisket was so extra-ordinarily tender and flavorful. (oh, i did  conduct a brief boycott after i asked him once if i could have a sample of the beans before I ordered them as a side to the sandwich and he informed me that he does NOT give samples and that EVERYONE loves them.)

Because of lease renewal problems, he moved the restaurant to 22nd and Kolb which is almost right across the street from Brushfire BBQ which serves excellent food, is large, has multiple TV's and serves alcohol. Also the building that he is now in, is very set back from the road and he doesn't have a big sign or even lights outside. And there are empty lots to the right and left. He also really expanded the menu (hence the name change from BBQ to family kitchen.) and this, i believe, allowed a slip in the quality of the beef brisket.

And last night was a definitive answer regarding the culinary state of the restaurant. and the answer was we  won't be back. There are no decorations in the place, it is small, the brisket wasn't excellent, the cashier girl was busy talking to her boyfriend constantly, most of the tables already had the chairs upended on them (like you do when you are getting ready to scrub the floors); even though we got there before 8 and they are open till 9.

And R & R is now only open from thursday to sat. (this is not a good sign) and the final blow to a pleasant eating experience was the prices went up and there was no damn heat in the building which makes it difficult to eat being weighed down with wool caps, scarves, a jacket and a sweatshirt; and wanting to put on gloves. (it was windy and in the 50's outside.)

what a comedown for this place! well, i had never eaten brisket before R & R  and now i'll just go back to a brisket-less state.