BBQ Research Tour 001 - day 1

Sweet Lucy's Smokehouse7500 State Rd, Philadelphia, PA
(215)-333-9663
BYOB
Overall: B-Not enough smoke, flavors very mild, textures and sauces good. Great building, very friendly staff, BYOB, counter-service-only works well.
Pork Ribs: A-Coleslaw: B
Mac n Cheese: B, true baked.
Cornbread: A-Beans: C, not cooked tender enough, no meat flavor, no veg.
Collard greens: B. No meaty bits or flavors. Slight vinegar taste worked well.


Famouse Daves'sMultiple national locations.
Overall: BGood textures and flavors, unique presentation on elevated metal lid.
Chopped Pork: C, good flavor, a little dry, nicely served on thick toast.
BBQ chicken: B+, tender, brined flavor, good rub w/ lemon flavors but too salty.
Brisket: B+, great bold smoke flavor, tender, nicely served on toast.
Pork ribs: A-. Mild smoke, tasted like it was sauced and finished on grill, nice sauce. Slight spongy texture, but not in a bad way. Week variety of sides. Nice mustard BBQ sauce.
Coleslaw: C. Very fresh, but not exciting at all.
Beans: B. Could be cooked longer for a creamier texture.




Ron's Ribs(not open today)
Owner was standing outside and gave us a few words of wisdom:
"Sauce is the most important thing."
"Consistency"
"Fresh, not frozen meat"
"No boiling or steaming the meat"
"Open pit is the way to go"

Peobe's BBQ2214 South St., Philly, PA
(215)-546-4811
Overall: B
B for taste, C for BBQ experience. We ordered with sauce on the side. Food did not seem to be slow smoked. Some items had smoke look/taste, many did not. Texture was good, some items perfect, some a little too tender. By applying their sauce and finishing on gas grill the next morning, the ribs were elevated to "very good" status, both beef and pork. Take out only.
Pork ribs: C. Did not taste like true BBQ. Flavor very mild. Had not visual evidence of ever being near a fire.
Beef ribs: C. Very fatty. Relies on sauce too much.
Chicken: B. Rotisserie, not BBQ, but no BBQ claim made. Good flavor and texture.
Mac n cheese: A-. It was cold when we finally ate it, and was still a B+, so probably at least an A- warm. (A+ in Charlie's eggs the next morning)
Collard greens: B. Made with turkey ends. Bold flavor.
Beans: A-. No smokey meat flavor, but great consistency, and bits of onion and pepper were nice additions.
Corn bread: C. A good attempt to make a unique bread, but didn't quite hit the mark. Maybe just being more moist would make it a great bread. Color is very dark, not bright yellow, and I thought I tasted shrimp or crab when it was warm, but didn't taste it at all the next day. Skillet cooked, with some whole corn chunks.