A few weeks ago, Cblakes, Judd, and I met up on a Monday night and headed out looking for the best BBQ in Utah. We went to a place called Pat's BBQ (www.patsbbq.com) first. I had been there before and knew it had some amazing BBQ. It's location is a little sketchy, which, as it turns out, is a pretty good indicator of good BBQ. You drive up, and it looks more like a warehouse than a restaurant (that perception isn't helped by the fact that its in an industrial zone). Katie was very skeptical, but I went in to scout it out and found it very clean inside, so we went in and ordered. It was awesome! I ordered a half rack, but the ribs were so huge that I could only eat three. The ribs were nice and smoky, and they had a variety of sauces available at your table, so you could sample a number of different sauces. In addition to the great food, the atmosphere was outstanding. The tables are nice picnic tables to eat at, and there is a large bag of peanuts available to snack on while you are waiting for your food. They also have cool blues music playing in the background. Right then and there I declared Pat's BBQ the best Q in Utah, and I was looking forward to repeating the experience with Cblakes and Judd. But, unfortunately, they are not open on Monday nights, and we were turned away disappointed.
Determined, we called Katie and had her look up the address of the only other BBQ place that could compete with Pat's--Q for You in West Valley. We headed west and found Q for You in an appropriately sketchy, although not industrial, area. Fortunately, it was open, so we went in and ordered ourselves a couple racks of ribs. The ribs were just as large as those at Pat's, and they were nice and smoky, but they only provided one kind of sauce. The owner was a huge ethnic guy (I couldn't tell if he was black or Polynesian) that would walk around the tables and shoot the crap with other cool dudes, which was pretty cool. We were very satisfied, but, in the end, I must give the edge to Pat's. It had a greater variety of sauces, and it had a much better atmosphere. I found myself longing for Pat's peanuts, picnic tables, and blues music, while I was sitting in a ghetto table/booth, surrounded by rain forest decor (complete with a fake parrot), and lame music.
So, until proven otherwise, Pat's BBQ retains its title as best BBQ in Utah.
8 comments:
Hmmm. . . I'll have to try Pats next time I'm in SLC. Although, living in the mid-atlantic/south, I'm skeptical of anything called BBQ that isn't pulled pork. Maybe Utah is becoming "cultured" after all.
You can always spot a good restaurant if the lines are long despite (1) a difficult-to-find location; (2) bad or no decor; or (3) poor or grumpy service. In fact, most of my favorite restaurants satisfy one or more of these criterion.
Pat's was very "cool." It was a bit scary walking through a dark warehouse filled with odd items to find the bathroom. Ian loved this place as you can tell. Apparently this is "real" BBQ. For those of you who like a sweeter sauce you might want to stick with Tony Roma's or the like. I'm happy this place makes Ian so happy.
Jayme, next time you're in town, I'll take you to Pat's. It may not rival some of the BBQ pits you have in Virginia, but for Utah its pretty darn good.
I guess that means next time we're down in St. George Spencer can take us to that Chile's place he's talking about it. If its anything like Applebees, then we're in for some real authenticity there.
Pats will be first on my list next time I visit Salt Lake. For now, I'll have to settle for Capital Q.
Spencer, I'm shocked. We have Chile's here too. Imagine, a St. George BBQ joint making it all the way to DC.
If only Crown Burger could make the same leap.
LOL. Judd, I forgot about that. It was truly funny. Mr. Musumeci is one of a kind. And its true, he did take my food back once. He is a Yankee fan. I'm not. I ate there the day after the Yankees were eliminated from the playoffs. I asked, rhetorically, "what happened to your Yankees?" He took my sandwich prisoner and walked back to the kitchen. He wouldn't return it until I took back my Yankee comment and admitted that 27 championships makes them, objectively, the best team ever.
Hunger is a powerful motivator.
Jayme -- that sounds like Musumici. Was it Phil Jr. or Phil Sr.?
I went there a lot last summer when I was clerking because its half a block away from my office. One of the attorneys at my firm served his mission in Italy, and always talks Italian food with Phil Sr. Phil and Phil both love him. You are generally treated in a rather surly manner, unless you are with this attorney. If he is with you, you are treated like kings. They come out and sit down with you and complain about business in an authentic Italian way. One time Phil Sr. brought us out a special concotion he had made out of olive oil and roasted red peppers to eat with our sandwiches--it was fantastic, and he told us how to make it.
My favorite story is that Phil Jr. used to sell bootleged CDs and DVDs at the restaurant on the side. I can't remember if he got threatened by the police or if his dad got nervous about it and made him stop. Either way, it is a cool story.
Phil Sr. made the comment to Judd. They are always surly, but this comment was tongue in cheek. I'm not sure whether Judd realized that. Musumeci's is across the street from the Atty. General's office. I ate there several times each week. I must say, Musumeci's is near the top of my list of frustration and deprivation. I would kill for one of their turkey sandwiches. My favorite is Phil Jr's face when people take a long time to order. He rolls his eyes and leans his head way back. I often thought he looked like he would while sleeping, as if he were feigning a nap.
Phil Sr. is a soccer nut, so I'm sure he's hyped for the World Cup. My guess is he will be rooting for Italy, who happens to be in the same division as the U.S. I dare you to order a sandwich and then tell him that you think the Czech Republic will win it all. His response, I'm sure, will be similar to when I asked about the Yankees.
ok I live in raymond alberta and all we have is a subway-eat fresh my butt! no more food items PLEASE it makes me crazy! Auntie Carol- posting as whinety cause I don't know how to change it.
Post a Comment