I am just getting into BBQ in a bigger way, so when I saw Christopher D's review of Oink Johnson's…read moreSouthern BBQ along with the few others, I had a strong impulse to drive up county and find out for myself what this place had to offer. It was a gorgeous early September afternoon special made for a open window stereo blazing cruise in the rolling Bucks countryside. I was in a good mood.
Driving up 611 north of Doylestown with the GPS alerting me that I was at my destination, I still did not recognize it at first. There is a small cabin on wheels sitting in the middle of the rocky parking lot, with a fruit stand on one side, and a puppy barn on the other. That trailered shack was Oink's. The front porch of the structure has two large BBQ grills, a large menu nailed to the wall. Took a few seconds to get oriented, especially when this big fella with a white apron and big white mustache came over and looked down at me and said:
"What'll it be, young feller?"
"Well, sir. I can't decide 'tween the Pulled Pork and the Brisket. What do ya think?"
"They're both lip smackin' good, my man. Can't go wrong with either."
Ok. I was hooked by ol' Oink's charm even before I made a choice. This guy and the whole set up was right out of a Michener novel. I was game to play my role.
Two of his buddies sat to the side of the shack under an old beer company umbrella watching this transaction. I looked over to greet them with a reference to the weather, and they chawed back that maybe I should get one of both the pork and brisket. Nice upsell, gents.
I ordered the Pulled Pork Sandwich, BBQ Beans and Corn Bread. Oink disappeared into the enclosed portion of the hut on wheels to make his magic. He appeared a few minutes later with a large white paper wrapped package that seemed too big to be a Sammy. I couldn't see what was in it, which was just slightly troubling, but this man had such an aura of confidence that I let it slide thinking I was probably missing the point of just knowing it would be great without a need for a visual.
This place is strictly take out, so although I would have preferred to enjoy my BBQ on site, I had to take with and drive back home to eat it. No biggie.
Upon unwrapping the creation I found it was indeed a huge quantity of meat, but the roll had been saturated with pork and BBQ juices, and was too wet to eat. I ate the pork with a fork. It was tender and juicy, yet the BBQ flavor was not very strong, and it was a bit salty for my palate. The Beans were richly dark brown, heavy with molasses and chunks of fat back bacon. Excellent. The Corn Bread in the form of a muffin was good, but not overly sweet nor moist.
If I could give a grade just for personality and appearance, Oink Johnson would be a 5 Star experience. But, as the Pulled Pork was not as good as others I have eaten, and the roll was a total loss, the food comes in at 2 Stars for me.
I will get back there eventually to try the ribs and brisket, but I am disappointed by the lack of "Zing" in the Pulled Pork.
Still, I recommend stopping in as the characters are wonderful, the locale very pretty farmland, and the food worth a sampling.