Getting good BBQ in Vermont is a challenge. There just aren't many places,
and most of them are not where I am (central Vermont). 🙂
Friday that changed (though I didn't find out it changed
until today). A new place called Finkerman's Bar-B-Q opened
on Friday night.
We were driving to the drug store when we saw the sign (we'd
heard a place was supposed to start construction in
December, but we'd not heard anything since). We drove back
and took a look after getting our shopping done, and sure
enough, it was OPEN. I was so excited. We went in and had
dinner. 🙂
We both had combo plates ($11.95), pulled pork and
spareribs, cornbread, and a choice of two sides (we both had
hushpuppies, I had Vermont cheddar mac and cheese and he had
jalapeno cheese grits).
This was not the best BBQ I've ever had, but it IS the best
BBQ I've had in Vermont. The pulled pork was really good.
Tender, delicious, great mouth feel, not too saucy, and the
sauce was not too sweet. They had spicy sauce on the table
to add. The spareribs were meaty and cooked well, though not
as tender as I've had elsewhere, I'm willing to bet that's
more them getting used to the volume they need to produce,
and how long it takes to smoke that amount.
If we'd ordered an appetizer or salad (as we usually do),
we'd have been stuffed. As it was, we each could have
happily eaten a couple more spareribs but we didn't leave
feeling hungry, just like we'd have enjoyed some more but
it's probably good we didn't get it.
The grits were great, and they add something to their
hushpuppies that makes their flavour just burst (definately
the best hushpuppies I've had outside of my own kitchen in
at least eight years, possibly longer), and I need to figure
out their secret ingredient (preferably by eating many more
of them). It was very subtle. I'm thinking it's cayenne but
I could be wrong.
The mac and cheese needed to either be made with more
cheddar, sharper cheddar, or have some spices and/or onions
added to it, but as it is, it'd be suitable for kids who
aren't too fond of spicy stuff. The grits were just
wonderful (we bought a container of them to bring home,
along with a pound of the pulled pork).
The cornbread was competent. Not too dry, not sweet, had
good flavour, perhaps I should have taken a bite of it
before I bit into the hushpuppies 'cos I didn't go "wow"
with the cornbread like I did the hushpuppies.
They have a nice array of sides to choose from, and many
vegetarian options (including a marinated tempeh, and
vegetarian black beans). They offer a "blue plate special"
with four sides and cornbread or biscuits for $8.25
They have bulk take-out, and everything on their regular
menu is available for take-out. I've already added them to
the cell phone speed dial. 🙂
They have a variety of sandwiches, interesting salads,
chicken and andouille gumbo, and stuff from the grill, as
well.
All in all I'm massively pleased. This may not be as good as
some of you pit-meisters can pull yourself, and it's not as
good as what you can get in the south, but for Vermont, this
is damn good BBQ, and I'm gonna be going there a lot! Next
time I'll try the biscuits, and maybe the bourbon pecan pie
(though I'll have to walk an extra half hour afterwards,
it'll be worth it!).
So if you're wandering through the central Vermont area and
lookin' for some good food to stick to yer gut, give
Finkerman's Bar-B-Q a try.
They're located at 186 River Street in Monpelier (call for
directions, it's tucked away by the river behind some other
buildings), 802-229-2995.
--
Siobhan Perricone "Ok, I know a whole generation has been
raised on a notion of multiculturalism. That all
civilisations are just different. No, not always. Sometimes
things are better. Rule of law is better than autocracy and
theocracy. Equality of the
speech - Better. Free elections - Better. Free appliances
with large purchases - Better. Don't get so tolerant that
you tolerate intolerance." - Bill Maher