With 4 kids I have grown accustomed to recommending food choices that are relatively clean i.e. knife and fork type foods. It just causes less stress when eating as a family. That is why I try to avoid BBQ with the whole family as the sauce ends up in their hair, on their clothing, in the van, on their pillows etc.
But when I'm along or with the Mrs. I definitely love BBQ.
These establishments are opening up here in Utah like Walgreen's. It seems they are going into every new strip mall in every city and they are all coming from chains in Texas and the south as well as transplant restaurant owners from those areas.
There are so many places to get good BBQ in Utah but I have some rules in making my top 5.
The first rule is the sauce. The sauce has to be original and pack a kick. Not a punch but a kick. If I want Hunt's BBQ sauce I will go buy it. Most places at least give you three choices of original, sweet and spicy. I personally like to mix the original and the spicy as sometimes the spicy by itself dominates the flavor of the meat so be careful.
The second rule is the side dishes. You have to have variety and they must be good. If you can enjoy at least 80% of the side dishes you know you've found a good spot. I judge most places on their coleslaw. Coleslaw is something I despised as a kid but acquired the taste later on in my 20's. I like a good creamy or vinegary coleslaw. Some places I have had it is just chopped up cabbage with not much else. That works if your a rabbit so the places I mention below will have good coleslaw.
So without further adue I give you 5 of my most favorite.
Dickey's: http://www.dickeys.com/default.aspx
One of their locations recently opened up in West Valley near my place of work and I have been there a lot lately. I love their signature chopped beef sandwich or pulled pork. Great sauces. Again mix the original with the spicy. One of their sides is the baked potato casserole which is a tasty take on the twice baked potato so I recommend it. Their jalapeno beans are hearty with a nice kick. The coleslaw is creamy and excellent. They also do the waffle fries like Chick Fil E and are yummy. About the only side dish I don't recommend are the onion straws as they are just OK.
Pats BBQ: http://www.patsbbq.com/
I mentioned this place in one of my previous blogs talking about Salt Lake eats but since this blog is about BBQ I thought I would mention them again. This place was on the food network and you have to get here earlier or later than the Noon lunch rush. But well worth your time. I love their beef brisket slices and pork ribs. They have daily specials and the burnt tips on Friday are my favorite as they are tender pieces of beef brisket tips. Their red beans and rice or creole beans and rice are a must as a side dish. The corn bread is moist and a great addition.
Huntsville BBQ Company: http://texaspridebarbecue.com/
This was a couple from Texas that opened this place in historic downtown Huntsville. Great setting for a BBQ joint and during the summer its nice to hang out at Pine View reservoir and then head on over for some excellent food. I love sitting in the back outside where they have live music. Every type of meat is great here but I really like their sausage as one of my meats. I didn't care much for the potato salad but they had a broccoli salad that was very good so I recommend that.
Q 4 U: http://www.q4u.com/newweb/main.htm
They recently moved locations to a more spacious restaurant but luckily the food didn't change. I love their pork spare rib sandwich with their southern seasoned french fries and coleslaw. What a lunch. Their southern fired chicken is also very tasty. The black eyed peas are also a great side to get here.
Texas Roadhouse: http://www.texasroadhouse.com/
Yes a chain restaurant made this list but when you have had dreams about eating something you know it's good. I LOVE their baby back ribs. It's nice to be able to cut them with a fork and they are so dang meaty. My wife likes them so she does not need to wash my cloths over and over to get the stains out. I really do not even look at anything else on the menu even though my wife loves some of their other dishes. Do not tank up on the yummy rolls and save room for the full rack. I like getting their mashed potato's with cheese and bacon and their green beans.
So there you have it. Enough places to get messy at up and down the Wasatch front. I have mentioned other good BBQ joints in other blogs and will do a national entry soon for when you are on the road.
Check out the places popping up in your area and let me know what you like as I'm always on the hunt!
Until we eat again....stay hungry my friends!
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