The Throwdown category is "Food from a place you'd like to visit" so I thought it would be a great opportunity to do some research in ... Toronto(?) Well, actually, I had a wedding to go to. It's a bit of a drive there and back, but we did pass some places to visit next time.
I had dinner already planned with relatives in Rochester, so we had to pass this one by. The next day, however, I'd already made a reservation at the famous "Desperados BBQ" located in the village of Angola NY, just south of Buffalo. Yes, it was a bit out of the way, but I'd drive a few hundred extra miles for some good BBQ! The food beckons here, so no sign is needed. Be careful. If your nose isn't working, you may pass right by. I'd recommend you make sure you have your foil hat on tight so that you can hone in on the signal.
The proprietors made us feel right at home
and gave us a tour of the pits
and what about the food?
Well, I always get a combination plate so I can try as much as possible. My wife and eldest split the brisket plate and my youngest went for the soup. Now to tell you the truth, I like all kinds of BBQ, but the youngest members of my family are a bit more fussy. This time was quite different. The soup -- Buffalo wing(!) -- made a VERY good impression and it was unanimously declared delicious. The brisket was also very much to the liking of my eldest (phew!).
What did the adults like? Well, I'm always a bit partial to pulled pork and I'd have to say that this is the best pulled pork I've had. It had enough smokey flavor to satisfy me even without the sauce, which was also great. The ribs were tasty and meaty and cooked just right. They're Kansas City style, so I did take some sauce on them (I preferred the hickory and hot to the sweet). We were also treated to some soup samples, chili and desserts. The chili is a sweet style, which I prefer and my wife loved.
We did bring a friend incognito, my youngest's companion "Smokey"
They also cooked a chicken for us to try, even though they don't usually serve them for lunch. We took it with us to Toronto and ate it for dinner. It was the best BBQ chicken I've had, since frequenting Big Ray's BBQ some 25 years ago in Tucson. I loved the flavor and the juiciness, and the skin was beautiful. I dislike fatty skin and this was rendered perfectly. Here it is with still an hour to cook.
I think one of the best parts for the girls was the candy jar.
Thank you Shelly and Cowboy Bill for your wonderful hospitality!
We continued our research in Toronto, sampling some typical Canadian fare:
Somehow I don't think I'll be able to smoke this for the throwdown, but there was sure to be some great Canadian food at the wedding and we were not disappointed. To begin with we had some curried ravioli:
This was delicious, but I think my youngest would prefer a bowl of that Buffalo wing soup:
Dinner continued with a Brethren favorite, eggplant:
OK, perhaps nothing to make for a throwdown, but it was great for wedding food.
One thing to note though. I've been to plenty of events, and always there is a vegetarian option. I mean if you don't eat meat, I can appreciate that and we'll offer you something else. Where was the reciprocity? Where was the carnivore option?
I had dinner already planned with relatives in Rochester, so we had to pass this one by. The next day, however, I'd already made a reservation at the famous "Desperados BBQ" located in the village of Angola NY, just south of Buffalo. Yes, it was a bit out of the way, but I'd drive a few hundred extra miles for some good BBQ! The food beckons here, so no sign is needed. Be careful. If your nose isn't working, you may pass right by. I'd recommend you make sure you have your foil hat on tight so that you can hone in on the signal.
The proprietors made us feel right at home
and gave us a tour of the pits
and what about the food?
Well, I always get a combination plate so I can try as much as possible. My wife and eldest split the brisket plate and my youngest went for the soup. Now to tell you the truth, I like all kinds of BBQ, but the youngest members of my family are a bit more fussy. This time was quite different. The soup -- Buffalo wing(!) -- made a VERY good impression and it was unanimously declared delicious. The brisket was also very much to the liking of my eldest (phew!).
What did the adults like? Well, I'm always a bit partial to pulled pork and I'd have to say that this is the best pulled pork I've had. It had enough smokey flavor to satisfy me even without the sauce, which was also great. The ribs were tasty and meaty and cooked just right. They're Kansas City style, so I did take some sauce on them (I preferred the hickory and hot to the sweet). We were also treated to some soup samples, chili and desserts. The chili is a sweet style, which I prefer and my wife loved.
We did bring a friend incognito, my youngest's companion "Smokey"
They also cooked a chicken for us to try, even though they don't usually serve them for lunch. We took it with us to Toronto and ate it for dinner. It was the best BBQ chicken I've had, since frequenting Big Ray's BBQ some 25 years ago in Tucson. I loved the flavor and the juiciness, and the skin was beautiful. I dislike fatty skin and this was rendered perfectly. Here it is with still an hour to cook.
I think one of the best parts for the girls was the candy jar.
Thank you Shelly and Cowboy Bill for your wonderful hospitality!
We continued our research in Toronto, sampling some typical Canadian fare:
Somehow I don't think I'll be able to smoke this for the throwdown, but there was sure to be some great Canadian food at the wedding and we were not disappointed. To begin with we had some curried ravioli:
This was delicious, but I think my youngest would prefer a bowl of that Buffalo wing soup:
Dinner continued with a Brethren favorite, eggplant:
OK, perhaps nothing to make for a throwdown, but it was great for wedding food.
One thing to note though. I've been to plenty of events, and always there is a vegetarian option. I mean if you don't eat meat, I can appreciate that and we'll offer you something else. Where was the reciprocity? Where was the carnivore option?
uke:
