If you don't mind, it would be great if you could post a follow-up on your trip and where you stopped and your experiences at each.
GOOD LUCK and have a SAFE TRIP!!!
...Happy New Year All..and here is the update
Left Queens Monday 12/28. On the way there made some stops.
Day 1
Chapps Pit Beef- Batimore: Worth the hype, a tripple D favorite. Went in for the pit beef sandwich and some mac and cheese. Beef was tender with a nice bite, nice flavor, and a little bit of crispy to it. I love the horsey sauce. Mac and cheese was very plain, very average. My 3rd time there in past couple of years, not traditional Q, but a nice place on outskirts of Balt. If you passing through.
Freddy's Smokehouse - Washington D.C., when the I95 traffic would not cooperate, I decided D.C. was a good stopping point, because nothing would be open in Richmond by time I got there. I should have asked a bretheren for a recommendation;instead just pulled off what was closest on the GPS. I got a sample plate which I found to be mediocre. The chicken, pulled pork, and ribs were dry. They had a thin sliced brisket that was very tough. The sides coleslaw, mac & cheese were very bland. It tasted like the food was probably made well with a lot of love, but over time must have dried out in a warmer or steam table. Not recommended.
Day 2
Que - Glen Allen VA - Having seen Tuffy on T.V., I wanted to try this. It very much had a corporate panera bread decor, with elevator muzak in the background. However, the food holds its own. Ribs were real juicy with good bite and bark. Brisket was not my bag, because it was chopped style. Imo made well, but seriously why chop your brisket into little pieces, why?? Mac and cheese, was creamy rich, above average. Collard greens stole the show, just a real rich flavor, not greasy but well flavored. Give it a try.
Ron's Ribs, Wings & Other things - Henrico VA: A last minute impulse, was hungry for a late lunch. When I got out immediately greeted by welcome site of fenced in commercial sized smokers blowing billows of smoke. Staff is really friendly, feels like a neighborhood gathering place. Seating is limited but there are a couple of small counter seats. Ribs were real smoky with a good crucnchy bark. Chicken wings had a hint of smoke, nice crispy skin. Pulled pork was moist and flavorful. Baked beans were rich with full flavor. Definitely a solid above average spot, not a top 5 in my all time book, but I think I would frequent this place as a local.
Day 3
The Pit - Raleigh N.C. - Clyde Copper's was closed for the holidays. This is more per se of a restaurant then a straight que joint. Overall not bad, brisket was tender, topped with a little bbq sauce, not oustanding flavor but fairly good. Pulled pork was tasty but a little on the dry side. Made it moist with some vinegar sauce. Didn't have traditional sides although their fried mac and cheese was a tasty shock to my arteries.
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin1.gif
Overall an ok trip; next up is Austin and the hill country, third week of February. I got my que addiction started by a K.C. bbq tour bout 5 years ago when I tasted my first burnt ends at LC's. I'm hoping a solid Texas tour will reignite my flame.
