I’ve had my share of great ribs on the Jersey shore. You know, the kind that are meaty, tender, and super flavorful. If I chomp down on a tough rib then it’s all over for me. I judge a good barbeque restaurant by their ribs. If the ribs are good, then I’m likely to explore other items on their menu.
A good pulled pork sandwich can make your day. The meat is slow smoked over low heat until it’s fork-tender and easily shredded, then the shredded meat is tossed with barbecue sauce. Every pitmaster has their secrets. What spices go into their blend, the kind of sauces they use, and the mastery of their methods are key to achieving success. The public’s response determines their future.
How’s the chicken? I’m partial to fried chicken, but if a BBQ place has good smoked chicken, I’ll order it.
Then there’s chili, wings, sausages, and brisket. Ah, the brisket! Much of the secret to smoking brisket is keeping a consistent temperature for many hours while it cooks. I had my first taste of a BBQ brisket while visiting my dad in Texas. He took me to a place called “New Braunfels Smoke House Restaurant.” The family-owned smokehouse had been making and selling smoked meats, cheeses and other gourmet gifts since 1945 and opened the restaurant in 1952.
I remember being indecisive while reading the menu because every item description looked fantastic. The place smelled heavenly, and I was starving. Dad recommended ordering a couple of combo plates. It was all good, but the brisket was outstanding.
I would recommend you try this place on your next American food tour but unfortunately they closed their doors in 2020. However, you can still order goodies from their smokehouse. The smokehouse’s 60,000-square-foot production facility near downtown New Braunfels remains in operation. You can find out more by visiting the company’s website:https://www.nbsmokehouse.com/Home/Menu
One more thing that is important to some folks are the side dishes. The mac and cheese, collard greens, coleslaw, corn bread, and the baked beans.
Time to find some great restaurants the locals love here on the Shore.
