It's funny how you come across places when running errands. In the past few years, I've often stopped by a popular "Chinese" fast food chain restaurant to pick up food for a friend on my way to Chinatown. A bit ironic. In recent weeks, I've been coming to this area to get items from a Korean food market or the fried chicken chain named after Olive Oyle's boyfriend.
Seeing the two smokers on the sidewalk (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=by6aQ4PjlAf8B2VhYUsgyQ&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q) piqued my curiosity and drew me to the table and menu board. Being a big barbecue fan, I knew that I would eventually try something from here. I started by picking up two sides to accompany dinners on consecutive nights. I started with the baked beans (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=-qt74LFpBXPi2xPGw5SJOA&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q); this thoroughly impressed me with the flavor leaning on the sweet side like most canned versions. What sold me was the smokiness of the sauce as it probably permeated from being in the smoker for hours. It reminded me of those western movies where cowboys would be chowing after herding cattle. Next was the potato salad (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=90CxFmZj4AJl5jjGmGIHyw&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q) which had all the ingredients that I enjoy; not too mushy nor hard potato chunks, a light relish flavor, and, the kicker, pimento pieces. The only thing that didn't make this shine was that it was lacking a little in salt. The next week, I made a point to be adventurous and try a meal. I first came on a Tuesday to learn that he is only here Thursday to Sunday. On my next visit, I tried the combo plate (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=a8C2LV2NgsFPV6DKiaChIA&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q), which consisted of two pork ribs (one large, one small), chicken, and hot link. Lenard was nice enough to swap my potato salad with his mac salad. I started on this later that afternoon for dinner. For the ribs, there were two pieces with soft bones, one large and one medium. Wanting to try everything, I finished everything except the large rib. The ribs are tender though not off-the-bone. A medium bite was enough to pull the meat off the bone. The chicken, a drumstick, was perfectly cooked and the link was not very if at all spicy. For me, the two things that shined were the smoky flavors and the generous tasty BBQ sauce. The beans were consistent with my 1st try and the mac salad was good, again the pimentos swayed me.
Passerbys may not even notice that he is here as there is a non-food street vendor a few steps away. Just being curious led me here. Lenard is very cordial though a man of few words. I paid cash for my food but there is a Venmo QR on his table if you prefer that payment option. I will be back to likely try his brisket and you can count on me having those beans. read more