Say you're going to Kent for some reason (Ikea) and you're not in the mood for Swedish meatballs. Or say you're anywhere at all and you're in the mood for an amazing smoked, roasted chicken sandwich and the best baked beans on the planet. Here's where you go.
Ditto the ribs, salmon sandwich, and pork cubes that are impossibly tender and flavorful. The sandwiches come on grilled, buttered buns of the crisp but not crunchy crust variety. Did I already say grilled? That's key, they are soft and the sauce soaks in but not too much. The sides? So, if you're into coleslaw or homey, basic potato salad, those are good and fine and tasty. But do not leave without trying the baked beans. You will regret it if you miss them. Even if, like me, you don't actually like baked beans.
If it's nice out or anyway not raining, extra treat, you get to eat at weathered picnic tables with, i kid you not, scruffy chickens pecking around your feet. Sort of creepy but just breathe and go with it.
The smoked polish sausage in piquant tomato based sauce will make you change your no-nitrate ways and think about hosting a smart mid-century modern cocktail party featuring a chafing dish filled with them.
We have Cave Man Kitchened Thanksgiving, taking home a perfectly smoked whole turkey, by far the best turkey dinner around.
Be sure to notice the agate shop across the street. What's that all about? I've never gone inside because the place definitely scares me. But I have a dark desire to know what it looks like in there. I suspect low and shadowy light, ghoulish stuffed animals on high shelves, and dusty trays of sharks teeth, ancient arrowheads, and (of course) agates.
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update based on impromptu drop in on 3-30
Sigh. All is not well in Caveland.
My very own review left me in a smoked meat reverie that would only be satisfied by a trip to Caveman. Fortunately, and weirdly, I had to drive down to Kent (don't ask) Friday and stopped in. First off, I had completely forgotten about the fire that shifted operations from the funky shack to a little stip-mall storefront across the parking lot. The signs on the door indicated I'm not the only one to put that detail out of mind between visits. "Across the Street" says one. And then, hilariously, as I'm peering around, there's another sign scrawled with the same quick hand: "Turn Around!" Anyway, comic relief aside, the formerly succulent pork cubes were peculiarly leathery. The beef in the bbq beef sandwich was sliced too thickly. And, tragically, the beans. While I was waiting for my meal, in wheeled an industrial size cart laden with army surplus size cans of Van Kamps pork and beans. Uh. Uh ... ok, I tell myself, little secret revealed, they must doctor up the basics to that transcendent state. But no. These were clearly doctored, and very tasty, but nothing to drive to Kent for. Damn it.
For the sake of history and disbelief, I will go again in the spring and hopefully learn it was just a crap day at the Caveman, all the regular chefs were out with the flu or something. I will try again.
Oh - the scene was perfect as ever. Some guy, leathery as the pork cubes, sidled up for an order and loudly, directly pitched woo to a similarly weathered woman working the saucepan.
You remember me? You don't remember me.
Yeah, I remember you, from the casino Tuesday.
Yeah, that's me. Come to say 'hey'.
Hey. But it's really busy right now (lunch rush).
Ok. Well I just came to say 'hey'.
also: Guy tells the really rosy counterlady he and his friends come up once a month from Olympia. Best food around. They always bring along a non believer and convert him.
Yes, of course I'll go back. read more