Jesse's Barbecue & Local Market

Jesse's Barbecue & Local Market
98 N. County Line Road
(entrance: Chestnut St.)
Souderton, PA  18964
215-723-4600
Hours:  Sun & M: Closed
T-Th 11a-7p
F & Sat 11a-8p
Spoon Rate: 


We are always looking for a good BBQ spot in the Lehigh Valley & Beyond and were thankfully introduced to this intriguing place south of us.  A good sign is a hopeful statement for quality.  The rustic, yet clean modern exterior as you walk into this restaurant/market also add to the positive curiosity.  As we arrive to the entrance, the long, energetic line makes yet another statement about this quaint gem.  Besides viewing the daily specials, the long line gives us time to 1. hope they haven't yet run out of meat that is smoked on-site; 2. view local products (like raw honey, coffee, salad dressings) in their market area.  


The perfect menu item for our curious appetite was the BBQ sampler, including 3 ribs, 2 slices of brisket, 1 drumstick, & pulled pork ($18.50)  Accompanied by your choice of 2 sides (with classic offerings:  mac & cheese, coleslaw, cornbread muffin with honey butter, collard greens, or BBQ baked beans), it was a generous amount for 2 to share.  We also sampled a side of their wings.  As if there is not enough flavor in these delish meats, one of the highlights was their sampling of complimentary sauces for a diner's dipping pleasure.  Freshly brewed sweet tea was the ideal beverage for this satisfying, traditional BBQ meal.
One more highlight:  outdoor dining at picnic tables overlooking the meat smoker that made this meal possible.  The atmosphere is bustling with energy of families and friends enjoying their meal.  Indoor & outdoor seating are limited, but for those who find a spot, it's an enjoyable evening with a simple, but quality meal and setting.  Jesse's also offers take-out & catering.

 

Summer Stops-Pappy's Pig Roast BBQ

Pappy's Pig Roast BBQ
205 Roosevelt Blvd
Marmora, NJ  08223
609-390-8600
Spoon Rates:   
   
Summer tends to include more travel and thus, opportunities for adventurous eating.  For us, this year we visited most of our usual summer stops, reviewed other years on Evans' Eats.  We have one noteworthy place to share with you.

As we headed to the Jersey shore my husband was determined to find a roadside BBQ stand.  Nearing our destination, we were losing hope in finding one when Pappy's appeared.  Though we stopped in their actual restaurant, the sighting of a parked food truck gave us hope that we may have found something to meet our goal.  

We had a delectable, filling meal to start off our family vacation in Ocean City, NJ.  The vast menu has something for the entire family--it includes items of a traditional pizza shop like pizza, cheesesteaks, and some intriquing sandwiches (like Italian Chicken Florentine-breaded chicken, topped with roasted red peppers, spinach, sauce & cheese, $6.99 or 9th St. Pork Sandwich, roasted pork with sauteed spinach, garlic, roasted red peppers, & provolone cheese, $8.95. 

But, I chose to stay true to our original plan and order a Carolina Pork BBQ sandwich ($6.99), with your options of BBQ sauce--I ordered the mild version (vinegar base).  They offer a variety of cultural twists from Southern, Carolina, German (topped with sauerkraut), Italian (sauteed spinach and garlic) and Jersey (topped with slaw).  We chose sides of mashed sweet potatoes and baked beans, but the large sandwiches would have been sufficient!

In viewing their website, Pappy's also offers carry-out packages and catering.  Overall, a viable stop on your way to or from the Jersey shore! 

Gourmet Comfort Food: PA Soup & Seafood House

Pennsylvania Soup & Seafood House
22 S. Main St Doylestown, PA  18901
215-230-9490
Hours: M 11a–3 p, Tues. 11a–7p; W & Th 11a–8p; F & Sat. 11a–9p; Sun: Closed   

One of the joys of having this blog is having others make personal recommendations for places to try.  A shared meal or enjoying a favorite spot with others is a small piece of offering one's self to another in relationship.  It's personal, making the experience that much more meaningful.

A friend & co-worker shared this gem in Doylestown, a town already stacked with hot dining spots.  Inside the Main Street Marketplace is an open, yet cozy spot for a quiet lunch or an out-on-the-town dinner.  

Creamy Crab

Its menu takes bar & comfort food to a sophisticated level.  Some of its offerings include:  Potato-encrusted crab cake entree ($14.99), pan seared scallops ($16,99), crab-topped sirloin steak burger ($10,99) and a variety of sandwiches offered on focaccia bread or a wrap ($8.99-11.99)  

Minestrone

A highlight of the menu was its soup selection.  Wow--a perfect lunch on a cold, winter day--but how does one decide between the 14 options on the menu?  Thank goodness for samples to experience more than one.  While the butternut squash & minestrone sounded delicious, I settled on a bowl ($7; cup: $4.25) of the Creamy Crab, in keeping with their Name: "Soup & Seafood."  Made on the premises & a generous-sized bowl, this soup was completely 
satisfying.

A favorite highlight was the all-you-can-eat, self-serve bread bar.  Olive oil & balsamic vinegar accompanied these delicious freshly-baked selection of bread.  A perfect addition to complete an enjoyable lunch.  I can't speak for the rest of the menu, but if you're looking for a soup that bring the comfort of home with a modern gourmet flare, this is an ideal choice.



   
     

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! 

Deli Month-Week #4: Black Forest Deli

Black Forest Deli

745 Union Blvd & 7th Ave.

Bethlehem, PA  

610-865-3036

M-F 8-4; Sat-Sun 8-2

Looking for the best Russian food in the LV & B?  Have you heard of Black Forest Deli?  
While it has an unassuming exterior and ambience,  it's serving quality lunches for this West Bethlehem neighborhood.  Bustling with customers of all ages, we received some tips from a man in front of us. 

Borsch

He informed us we "had to try the Borsch"--a traditional Russian soup including beets & cabbage.  He must have read my hesitant expression--telling me "I may think of hating beets as a kid...but really, you won't even know it's beets...good to the last drop."  He was right.  I thoroughly enjoyed the wholesome goodness, wanting to know the secret ingredients besides recognizable dill as a key flavorful herb.

"to die for" macaroni salad

He went on to tell us we must try the macaroni salad--"to die for...it's cracked pepper zing makes you want more..."  Again, he was spot on.  My friend, Kayla enjoyed a side of mac salad with her Italian hoagie from the sandwich menu--generously stuffed with meat for a reasonable $5. 

He also informed me that they occasionally offer a 5-course Russian dinner with the tantalizing Russian menu offerings.  We enjoyed a large plate of pierogies stuffed with sauerkraut and potatoes.  Wow.  Definitely beats the frozen ones we used to make when I was a kid.  

Where else can you find some authentic Russian food made fresh?  However, Black Forest Deli offers a variety of sandwiches, paninis, wraps & salads to serve every palate.

And it's not too far from previously reviewed, Vegan Treats, so we enjoyably ended our luncheon with these beauties...