Sauced BBQ & Spirits

Setup of this space seems to be in line with most any modern BBQ establishment. Inside is wide open, high ceilings, concrete floors, with lots of various seating arrangements. There is a long bar for seating as well. A covered patio out front extends the seating area even further, and with heaters, is available year-round. Staff is a mix, some with the cold California shoulder, and some offering up excellent hospitality. While I did not check out any of their in-house made beer, they do have a few guest taps to extend the range of their selection.

Then there is the BBQ. Growing up in a major BBQ city known for burnt ends, brisket, and ribs, it's something I can be extremely critical of. Especially when the establishment names two of their four sauces "Kansas City style". Menu is pretty limited, brisket burnt ends, pork belly burnt ends, pulled pork, brisket, and ribs. The first two of which are limited. The brisket burnt ends had sold out on the day of my visit, so I opted for brisket and ribs (of which they brought me brisket and pork belly - but fixed it quickly.) Brisket ranged from phenomenal to dry. Some slices featured heavy charring and soft, melting fat, while other slices were dry. The former requiring no sauce, the latter requiring some sauce. Brisket was cut a little bit thicker too, not a problem at all, it felt more substantial. Ribs, again, proved to be excellent. They deliver the four ribs in one chunk. Pulling the bones apart to eat each rib and the meat would shred right off the bone. Preferences vary on rib meat falling in the 'fall of the bone' zone or not, but it's something I prefer, as long as the meat still remains smoky and flavorful - and these ribs were every bit of that. They were more of a heavy char, smoky, dark character.

Sauces were good as well. The 'hot' (featuring habanero) never really hit high end levels of heat, putting it towards the top of the spicier KC BBQ sauces I've tried. The regular sauce had some sweetness to it, but was really more well balanced than anything.

Overall, worth a stop if you're in the mood for BBQ, although I wouldn't seek it out just for the beer. Then again, I wouldn't seek it out if you're from a major BBQ town, although, this is on the better end of the spectrum of out-of-town BBQ I've had.

 

Good brew made on site. Other handcrafts on tap or in bottle. Smokey good bbq. This place rocks!