A true Barbeque aficionado will travel great distances for great Barbeque. Swallow at the Hollow in Roswell, GA, Dreamland Bar-b-que in Tuscaloosa, AL, Interstate Barbeque in Memphis Tennessee, McClard's Bar-B-Q Restaurant in Hot Springs, Ar, Ball's BBQ in McAlester, OK......none are too distant for those who dream of tearing apart smoky, savory meat in a carnivorous rampage. We don't care if it is BBQ, Bar-B-Que or Barbeque...we don't care if it is beef, pork or even turkey, we love it all! Of course, here in Texas you will always find a goober who will poo-poo anything but brisket, but they are poor, misguided souls who have fallen for the propoganda of the 'real' Texas mystique.
It has always confounded me that Dallas, the face of Texas worldwide, has such crappy barbeque, the national food of Texas. Now don't get you panties in a bunch just yet, let me finish. Regardless of what the windbags tell you, the barbeque experience is not just about the meat....it is the meat, the sauce, the sides and even the restaurant itself. You will find shining examples of each of those in different locations around the city, but until now, I had never experienced it all in one location.
Now typically, I cannot stand to repeat dining experiences. One day here, another day there, across town the next, but I have eaten at Mike Anderson's 3 times in 2 weeks...a record I think. And I have gorged on almost everything on the menu and have found few faults. Once you have navigated the line and memorized the menu posted on the wall, you will finally arrive at the serving station, where the first person you will see will be Mike, carving up either brisket, pulled pork, turkey, hot links, or.....and asking you if you want a potato with your meat (or meats) or if you would like to cruise the sides. Trust me, cruise the sides. Those wonderful, flavorful, fattening sides.
The brisket is tender and lean and has just enough fat left on to keep it from being dry. Big, meaty ribs are perfect for rib fans. The pulled pork is as tender and moist as any you will get in the southeast. The sausages were probably the weakest items of the meat portion the menu, but still pretty good. Of couse you will want to try the 2 or 3 meat plate of your first try which comes with 2 sides and a slice of toast. The sauce is served on the side, as it should be. *Hint - try the Jalepeno sauce located on the pickle bar at the end of the line for added stomach lining damage.
I strongly suggest the Sloppy Mike which is a version of a Sloppy Joe that will have you singing Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire. Or perhaps you are not so hungry and just want a potato? Holy Mutant Spud Batman! The Monster BBQ Baked Potato comes with the meat of your choice as well as all of the normal evil...butter, cheese, sour cream, etc, and it is as big as the frigging plate! There is a version with double the meat that is just too much to comprehend.
The sides are the boost that lifts Mike Anderson's up above the rest. There are several types of beans for you to enjoy as well as several potato styles...the Garlic and Cheddar Smashed Potatos are the best of the lot. The 'most likely to cause a coronary' of the sides is an artery clogger called Cheezy Cornbake. Cornbread with sweet corn, grilled sweet onion & poblano peppers. To that they add sour cream and bake it on a mound of cheddar cheese. Good thing they are next to a hospital.Mike Anderson's BBQ
5410 Harry Hines Boulevard
Dallas, Texas 75235
Tel. (214) 630-0735
http://www.mikeandersonsbbq.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment