Sunday, September 30, 2012

BBQ Month-Week #3: Dancing Pig BBQ

Dancing Pig BBQ
Dublin Village Plaza
161 N. Main St.
Dublin, PA
215-249-3334
Hours: T-Sun 11a-8p (closed Mondays)

 Dublin Village Plaza is famous for it's PA Driver's License Center, but it has competition.  Dancing Pig is serving delicious southern-style BBQ to Bucks County.  Known for its 100's wood-fired, wood-smoked, all-fresh, never frozen meat, this almost year old business is bringing a cultural experience to town.  

We highly recommend the "Dancing Pig Style Baby Back Ribs" (a traditional dry rub and a "light finishing mop"--also serving "Texas Style"-cracked black pepper and coarse salt).  Love the smoky smell it leaves on your fingers!  Thankfully they provide complimentary moist towelettes for the messy fingers.

They also have the full offerings of sandwiches including pulled pork, beef brisket (our choice-delicious!), chicken bbq and more.  A few creative selections include the beef brisket cheese steak or the chorizo sandwich.  Each table includes 2 versions of sauces.  They offered "Dancing Pig Devil Dust" for the spice lovers--we respectfully declined and failed to ask for a description.

Side items are a la carte, but reasonably priced.  The "settler beans" were flavorful and an ideal choice, along with the distinct corn bread and garden slaw (vinegar base).

They are obviously serving a steady take-out business but the dine-in atmosphere is warm and inviting.  Most of all we enjoyed the hospitality of the owners--who are sure to inform and generously serve their customers.

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Southern BBQ Month-Week #2: Dickey's

Dickey's BBQ Pit
3221 Schoenersville Rd. Bethlehem, PA
610-625-2200
Hours:  M-Sun 11a-9p





Dickey's, a nationwide chain with 2 Lehigh Valley locations in Bethlehem & Wescosville, offers a decent Southern BBQ meal, emphasis on "decent." Some of its extra perks enhance the dining experience:

1. A family-friendly clean bright environment offers a broad, reasonably-priced  menu for any sized-appetite.  There are sandwiches and salads, or platters for you to choose your meat preference and sides.  


2.  The large complimentary Dickey's cup that holds your beverage, including their ever-flowing sweet tea.

3.  The bin of serve-your-own deli pickles.

4.  The selection of serve-your-own bbq sauces.

5.  The self-serve soft iced cream machine with cones to provide a sweet ending for all dinner guests.

6.  The fast-food style service makes your dining experience simple and time-efficient.

 


Sunday, September 2, 2012

Barbecue Month-Week #1: Fat Boys House of BBQ

Fat Boys House of BBQ
652 Union Blvd
Allentown, PA
(near Iron Pigs Stadium)

Having nephews from Austin introduce us to true Texas BBQ, we've searched to find some decent spots here in the Northeast.  While nothing can top Rudy's or The Salt Lick, we've found a few worth mentioning in the Lehigh Valley.  Fat Boys BBQ, who has been known for its catering, is serving some delicious meat from a mobile food truck, seasonally stationed in an empty lot near the Iron Pigs' Stadium.  Though their hours are limited to weekends, we were fortunate to enjoy a summer evening with some delicious grub. 

 I chose the generously-portioned Carolina Style Brisket sandwich ($7.50), topped with coleslaw & BBQ sauce.   My husband ordered the Engine 13 ($7), Pulled pork piled high with slaw, fresh cut fries, hot sauce and BBQ sauce.  Unfortunately, we were there near closing and they were out of fries--so he didn't get the full experience.  Another customer advised we come back the next day to try the fries, which he termed "the best in the Valley!"   We settled for a side of the "loaded potato salad." 

Besides the unique environment (limit of 2 tables, sweetly adorned with  checkered tablecloths) and view, my favorite moment was 2 guys driving up in a pick-up truck.  Rolling down the window, they yell over to the food truck, "You guys got ribs?," hand-gestures matched his desired full-rack order.  She exclaimed "yes," they parked, and received their casual, affordable and quality rack of ribs dinner!  A loaded menu will please the entire family and provide us Northerners with a solid taste of the southern BBQ cuisine.  

Catering is offered year round...would love to see a casual outdoor wedding reception include this food truck!