Here Piggy, Piggy, Piggy (Six Places with Great BBQ)

October 12, 2019November 8, 2020 - Scott Leave a comment

Regular readers of Low-Rent Foodie have probably figured out by now that I love me some BBQ. I told you in previous posts about Old South BBQ in the Atlanta area and Smokin’ Dave’s in Estes Park, Colorado, which now has five locations!

Basically, I’ve had way more smoky pig than can be stuffed into a single post. So today I’m going to highlight six of the places where I have found good BBQ, pork and otherwise.

Harness Room Eatery—Pawnee, IL

This place has changed hands a few times. It has been known as Coal Miner’s Hideaway, The Stable, and probably a few other things that I have forgotten. It has been a German restaurant, a steakhouse and a BBQ joint.

Today, they share a space with the No. 10 Tavern on the Square. They’re serving up good bar food, burgers, horseshoes, and thankfully, they’ve kept some of the BBQ entries from their previous incarnation.

The best thing I have ever had here was a special (pictured above), that REALLY needs to be brought back and put on the regular menu.

What you see there on the left is a stack of cornmeal pancakes layered with pulled pork, BBQ sauce and topped with maple syrup. It was a sweet and smoky textural masterpiece. The green beans were really good too (never underestimate the importance of good sides! More on that later.). Points for presentation on the mini fryer basket of hand-cut fries, but they do get cold faster served this way, so get on ‘em quick!

One thing they DO still have on the menu that I am also a fan of is the Tavern Chicken.

Hrness Room Eatery Pawnee Illinois Tavern Chicken — Could I have another roll, please?

Sugarfire Smoke House—Olivette, MO

Sugarfire is originally a St. Louis-area chain that has expanded to 14 locations in five states. Their Cuban Reuben sandwich was recently named best sandwich at the World Food Championships. You can read about that here.

The Olivette location is the original, and just happened to be the one I picked that day, due to its proximity to Lambert International Airport.

One thing I appreciate about this place is that they have locally produced sodas on tap. I like a Coke or a Mountain Dew as much as the next guy, but where else can you go and pour yourself a Ski? If you haven’t had any of that citrus-flavored rocket fuel, give it a try if you’re ever in St. Louis or the Metro East area across the river.

Expect a line out the door at Sugarfire, but that’s OK, because it moves quickly, and you’ll need a few minutes to make up your mind anyway.

I went with a ribs and brisket combo with some mac and cheese and soup. If you’re ridiculously hungry, or brought somebody along to share with, try The Meat Daddy. It’s a 4-bone rib, jalapeno cheddar sausage link, a quarter pound EACH of brisket, pulled pork and turkey plus two sides and a soda. Good luck with that!

Brothers BBQ—Pensacola, FL

One of our main destinations for family vacations has become Gulf Shores, Alabama. We’ll be going back again next month for my parents’ 50th anniversary celebration. I have mentioned before that Gulf Shores needs its own post. Stay tuned.

My aunt and uncle are also frequent travelers to the area. They told me the story about how one time they were out for a drive in the Pensacola area, just across the state line from Alabama, and Uncle Ray was hungry, so he pulled over at a random roadside BBQ joint. It changed their lives.

So last time we went down to the Gulf, we did an outing to the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola.

Naval Aviation Museum Pensacola Florida Blue Angels — Home of the Blue Angels! It was threatening rain that day though, so we didn’t get to see them practice.

After a couple of hours of wandering around the expansive museum looking at all manner of flying objects, we were ready to eat. On Uncle Ray and Aunt Jan’s recommendation, we sought out Brothers BBQ on Gulf Beach Highway.

We thought an appetizer might be in order, and we noticed Fresh Fried Pork Skins for $3.99. (Hey, if you’re looking for health food, you’re on the wrong site.) I grew up calling them pork rinds. South of the border, they’re known as chicharrones. Some folks just call them “cracklins.” All I know is my wife and I had had fresh ones once at the Soulard Farmer’s Market in St. Louis, and there’s nothing quite like them. Especially when they come out like this (turn the sound up)…

The daily special on Tuesdays and Wednesdays is all you can eat pork and chicken, served with baked beans and cole slaw, for $10.99.

I am learning with advancing age that there is no shame in “all you can eat” meaning a single plate. My son, however, has lived in Mississippi long enough now that he has become immune to the meat sweats, so he got the four-meat combo for $15.99.

I regret nothing. Except the fact that I neglected to buy an extra bottle of their homemade BBQ sauce to take home with me.

James’ Home Kitchen—Springfield, IL

A place with a name like James’ Home Kitchen sounds like it ought to have good BBQ, and it does, but there’s something else going on here. This may not be the only Texas BBQ/Asian Fusion restaurant in existence, but it’s the only one I’ve ever seen.

By day, Wei-Shin “James” Wang is a Bureau Chief for the Illinois Office of the Inspector General. But in the evening, he is busy in the kitchen cooking up everything from Tokyo style Panko Fried Fish to Bulgogi Beef to Hibachi Pork Tenderloin. Oh, and also chicken wings, baby back ribs and brisket.

Let’s talk about that brisket.

The brisket is smoked for 10+ hours. You can tell even from the picture that it is not dry at all, a problem that can plague many a smoky meat. James serves it up with homemade BBQ sauce, garlic potatoes and steamed broccoli. Each entree comes with an appetizer of a chicken wing and one of the best crab Rangoon’s I have ever had.

Did you know broccoli dipped in BBQ sauce can actually be really good? It is here, anyway. Gotta be just the right combination of flavors, of course. This probably couldn’t be duplicated at home. Like French dressing on pizza only works at Monical’s. It can’t be ANY French dressing on ANY pizza, or it would just be gross. But I digress.

James’ Home Kitchen is open from 4:30-9:00 Monday-Saturday. I recommend getting there early, because the place does fill up. And because each dish is made to order, wait times can get out of hand later in the evening.

Hickory River Smokehouse—Springfield, IL

Hickory River is a chain with four locations in Illinois and one in Ohio. Their ‘cue has won many awards, most recently the Pork Rib-off People’s Choice Award at the Ohio State Fair. There used to be two locations here in Springfield. Unfortunately, the one closer to me closed, so I don’t get this as often as I would like. It’s worth the drive around to the northeast side though.

As you know, I usually stick to two-meat combo platters these days, but if you’re really hungry (like I was this day), try a smokehouse combo.

This comes with four bones of baby back ribs, two other meats, two sides and cornbread for $18.59. For a more reasonable appetite, get just one extra meat instead of two for $15.99.

One thing I appreciate about any restaurant, but especially a BBQ place, is when they put as much attention into the sides as they do the main dishes.

I really hate when a meal has throwaway sides that are just there to take up space on the plate. Like canned corn or instant mashed potatoes that are still in the shape of the scoop. Really? It’s an insult to cuisine as well as the customer eating it (or not). You may as well just fill up the empty spot on the plate with an inedible garnish or flowers or an origami goose or something.

This is never a problem at Hickory River. ALL the sides are good. I am partial to the mac and cheese and the BBQ Ranch Beans myself. Oh, and the cornbread. If you like sweet cornbread, you have GOT to getcha some of that.

I really like their sauce too. It comes in mild and hot, but be warned—the hot is VERY hot, and that’s coming from a chilehead. If you do like some spice, but are not a total masochist, ask for it mixed.

Mail Pouch Saloon—Swanton, OH

Not many folks outside of the Toledo, Ohio area are aware that it is quite the food destination, but it is, actually. Whenever I go to visit the in-laws, my radar is up for the next interesting place. I am always bummed though, when I find several places in a city or area that I don’t get to a lot. What happens is that I either want to go back to a place I liked before, which prevents me from finding new places, or else I’m so busy trying to find new places that I never get back to the ones I know I like. Oh well, that’s a first-world problem if there ever was one.

One place where my wife and I used to like to go was Shuckers, a seafood and pasta restaurant on Airport Highway in Swanton with a distinctive sailboat on top of the building. Then, when we were visiting for New Year’s in 2017, we drove by and noticed the boat was no longer there, which could only mean that Shuckers was no more. We were sad, but not for long.

As it turned out, the retiring owners of Shuckers had sold it to Jamie Wietrzykowski, who owned the Mail Pouch Saloon in Haskins, Ohio, on the other side of the Maumee River. Wietrzykowski completely transformed the inside of the place, adding a horseshoe-shaped bar with a clear top, underneath which pictures from Swanton’s history are displayed. He also added a fully heated patio that frequently features live music and even a magician for the kids once a week.

Wietrzykowski kept a few of the seafood favorites from the Shuckers menu, including their fabulous clam chowder, but changed up everything else. Instead of pasta, the menu now focuses on burgers, chicken, sandwiches, and of course, BBQ.

The St. Louis style ribs, pictured above, can be ordered wet or dry, and come with two sides. I favor the mac and cheese (are you noticing a pattern here?). A full rack of these would set you back $22.99.

If you’re feeling adventurous/foolish, try the Pouch Platter. Brisket over onion straws, 3 bones of ribs, three BBQ chicken drummies with baked beans, veggie of the day, slaw or salad and grilled asiago bread.

OK, like always, I’ve gone and made myself hungry again. Is 10AM too early for BBQ? Probably. Art takes time. While I’m waiting, I’ll hunt up some more BBQ places to try, because you can never have too much piggy!

GETCHA SOME! (And don’t forget to subscribe to see what I’m going to stuff my face with next. I promise there won’t be any spam, unless I’m eating Hawaiian that day.)

Eatin’ and Drinkin’ in the Land of Lincoln

September 19, 2018June 27, 2020 - Scott Leave a comment

By my count, there are 421 restaurants in the greater Springfield, IL area, though a few of them may have closed while I was counting. Here are four of my favorites.

Little Saigon

Just about every town has some kind of Chinese restaurant, either a buffet or a hole in the wall carryout place. Some are better than others, but they all pretty much taste the same.

I have found that Thai and Vietnamese food is much more interesting. One of the best places to get it around here is Little Saigon on Wabash. It’s not fancy, but oh is it delicious!

One of my favorite drinks to cool off with in the summer is a Thai Iced Tea ($4.95). Imagine a sweet tea with condensed milk added and you’re getting the idea. They also have 20 different flavors of freezes (also $4.95), which you can get with black pearl tapioca at no extra charge.

Thai Iced Tea Little Saigon Springfield Illinois — Thai Iced Tea

Their menu has a wide variety of Thai and Vietnamese dishes, plus a few Chinese standards for the somewhat less adventurous. The Crab Rangoon appetizer is some of the best around.

Little Saigon has 11 different soups, including variations Hu Tieu (a clear bean noodle), Mi (egg noodle) and Pho (rice noodle). If you really want an authentic pho experience, try the Pho Saigon ($9.95). The roast beef, meatballs, onions and cilantro are recognizable enough, but there are other cow parts involved that I could not quite identify. Definitely an Andrew Zimmern moment for a Midwestern white guy such as myself.

via GIPHY

Let me pause for a moment and address the word “authentic.” I’ve never been to Vietnam. Or Thailand. Or India (more on that in a minute). I really have no way of knowing if the pho I’m eating in Springfield, IL tastes the same as what you would find the locals eating in Southeast Asia. So when I say “authentic,” I am judging by how many people eating in the restaurant look like the people working in the restaurant. Or if they are speaking a language native to the ethnicity of the food being served. If it’s home cooking to them, then as far as I am concerned, it’s authentic.

Now back to this menu. As is common in East Asian restaurants, some of the entrees have a picture of a chile next to them, indicating that these are spicy dishes. Some Thai and Vietnamese restaurants are known for really cranking up the heat. Little Saigon is not one of those. Depending on who’s in the kitchen, you might get a little more curry on some days than others, but there’s nothing really outlandish. You can always ask them to dial it down too. They will make any dish just the way you want it.

Curry Noodle Little Saigon Springfield Illinois — Curry Noodle ($9.95) Normally comes with onion and green onion, but my wife doesn’t like onions.

Curry Fried Rice Little Saigon Springfield Illinois — Curry Fried Rice. This one has chicken, but you can order it with any meat that you want. **LRF PRO TIP:** If you order something other than a fried rice dish, get a side of fried rice for only $3 extra. You’ll be very glad you did.

Gateway to India

I have been a fan of Indian food for quite some time. I like to try things that are different, and from my point of view, Indian is about as different as it gets. The colors, fragrances and spice combinations are unlike anything else I have ever encountered.

I have yet to meet an Indian restaurant that I haven’t liked (St. Louis has some REALLY good ones), but the one that started it all for me is Gateway to India on Chatham Road just south of Wabash.

I must confess; I have never actually ordered off the menu here. The first time I came was for the Sunday lunch buffet, so I could try a little bit of everything. And that’s all I’ve ever done since. I guess I just don’t want to limit myself to one thing.

Before I even get to the food, I want to mention the service. My wife and I eat out a lot (probably more than we should). As a result, there are several places in the area where we definitely qualify as regulars. There’s just something about being known in a place when you walk in. It makes a restaurant feel like an extension of your home, or at least the home of a family member you enjoy visiting. I love that. My wife is sick of hearing me say how much I love that.

So how cool is it then, when you can walk into a place where the people look nothing like you, have a different primary language, cook food that’s like nothing anyone in your family tree would have ever made, and you STILL feel like you’re at your sister’s place? Where they know your drink order, and your favorite table? Where they notice if one of your family members didn’t come this time, and ask how they’re doing? Where they know what your favorite menu item is, and make it special for you if it’s not on the buffet that day—before you even ask—even if it’s been two months since you were there last?

That’s what we get at Gateway to India. Every single time. The Patel’s absolutely spoil us. It’s the best!

So what’s good at Gateway? Honestly, I recommend you go for a lunch buffet and just try everything. This cuisine, as I said, is so different from anything else you’ll eat, that you probably ought to sample until you find something you like.

Some of this food can get really spicy though (again, it depends on who’s in the kitchen that day). So if hot is not your thing, here are some relatively safe bets:

Naan—a buttery, fried bread, kind of like a pita. This goes with everything. In fact, I have seen several Indian customers use it as a utensil. It’s certainly good for mopping up sauces.
Tandoori Chicken—smoky leg quarters cooked with onions and peppers and gosh knows what else. Very craveable.
Vegetable Korma—a vegetarian dish in a bright yellow sauce. I think coconut milk is involved. Quite mild.
Chicken Makhani—this one can scooch up to medium heat some days, but it’s a good entry-level Indian dish. The red sauce has a creamy, nutty flavor. People I have taken to Gateway that weren’t fans overall usually still like this.

Gateway to India Springfield Illinois — (Clockwise from top left) Naan, Chicken Makhani, Saag Paneer (spinach and homemade cheese over Jeera, which is lightly spiced Basmati rice)

Pie’s the Limit

Pie’s the Limit has an absolutely genius concept. They take the build-your-own system used by sandwich shops and fast-casual Mexican restaurants like Chipotle and Qdoba and apply it to pizza. For $8.99, you can custom design your own 11-inch pizza with ANY combination of seven sauces, eight cheeses, nine meats and/or 16 veggies. Anything you want, and as much of it as you want for the same price. The Pie’s the Limit! (See what they did there?)

Our go-to used to be the one on Freedom Drive off of Lindbergh because it was the closest to us. However, this location has unfortunately become a COVID casualty. There is another location closer to downtown on MacArthur, and now there’s even one in Champaign!

With a 750-degree revolving deck oven, your pizza is usually ready in about five minutes. They stay busy, but they also move things along. There’s usually a fairly steady stream of people coming in, but I’ve never had to wait for a table.

It’s hard to make specific recommendations in a place like this, since you are essentially designing your meal yourself. I’m not even about to try to do the math to figure out how many potential combinations of ingredients there are. Suffice it to say you’ll never run out of options. Here are a few we’ve tried:

Pie's the Limit Springfield Illinois — Chicken and Spinach with Cheddar Jack Cheese and Spicy Sriracha Marinara.

Bella Milano

A lot of people think that because I’m Italian on my mother’s side that I would be an Italian food snob. That’s actually not the case. I’ll eat at Olive Garden. Or the Spaghetti Shop. Or a Lean Cuisine chicken Alfredo fresh out the microwave. I don’t care. With my family background, Italian food isn’t ethnic to me. It’s just food.

That having been said though, I really do appreciate places that do it well. Around these parts, the legendary place to go for Italian food is The Hill in St. Louis, a small neighborhood that was settled by northern Italians in the late 19th century and stayed that way. Lots of family-owned restaurants on The Hill, from casual to fine dining, but they all have a certain distinct flavor that is immediately recognizable to anyone who has ever been there.

One of the best tastes reminiscent of The Hill in Springfield is Bella Milano on far West Wabash. They started about 15 years ago in Edwardsville, on the Illinois side of the Mississippi. From the toasted ravioli to the Milano salad with provel cheese and crispy prosciutto, Bella Milano definitely brings the St. Louis vibe to Springfield.

At Bella Milano, you can go family style starting at $35 with a salad for four and two pizzas or entrees to share. Or you can order off the menu. There’s always a special or three as well, so make sure to ask about that.

LRF Pro tip—the dinner prices are significantly higher than the lunch prices. HOWEVER, if you go to lunch on Sunday, you get the lunch price, not the dinner price as is common in most establishments. Needless to say, we go on Sunday a lot. Going tomorrow in fact.

Lots to enjoy on this menu. I recommend just about anything labeled as Bella Signature, particularly the Tortellini, the Spaghetti Carbonara and the Pasta Three Way (pictured below).

Bella Milano Pasta Three Way Springfield Illinois — Spaghetti, ravioli and penne in meat sauce, topped with lots of provel cheese and a meatball, and baked. $13.99 on the lunch menu.

Hungry yet? My work here is done. Now go GETCHA SOME!