If you’re longing for comfort food--the kind that cooks for 6 hours before it can even consider touching a fork--you’ll find all the perks without the work at BIBBQ. The smell of a summer backyard curls into your nostrils as you walk in from the parking lot (behind Modoka on Winslow Way, just past Madison Avenue).
Owner Greg Epstein, a BHS graduate with culinary credentials, prepares his dishes straight from the heart and according to his own original, rigid standards for Serious Northwest Barbecue. What is it? Think spicy + savory + sweet. My choice was a Commuter Special, an excellent value at $10. It offers a chicken wings, ribs, taquito and pulled pork mini sandwich. They stand on their own merits, but are complemented by dipping sauces (my own favorite was a spicy habañero), and a chosen side; I selected a lean, piquant coleslaw, though I confess I would have liked to try everything.
Visit the website to review the many other meals (a vegetarian grilled chili is also available; call ahead to reserve salmon). Wife Carmen and small son Jazz help ensure it’s a family-friendly atmosphere; a “Cowpoke’s Menu” and high chairs help, but the kid clincher may be the homemade S’mores available for dessert.
One of two seating areas is a sports room with big screen TV. BIBBQ invites groups up to 15 (advance notice please) to eat, relax and watch the action without any guilt when asking someone to bring in a beer or cold drink from the fridge. Since everything is made from scratch, the wait may be a few minutes longer sometimes, but the result reflects the effort.
For a smaller establishment that seats just under 40, it’s a full service restaurant: open 7 days 11-8, eat in, take out, delivery, catering, even serving breakfast platters of flap jacks, fried egg benedict or creations from an omelette /crepe bar (9:30 ‘til they run out). You can also try breakfast at the Winslow Farmer’s Market on Saturday morning…again ‘til the food runs out.
My meal was “lunch” but I didn’t need dinner, either. I’m left with the memory of my two large, convoluted paper napkins, slathered in sauce. “It’s OK,” Greg smiled, “…we encourage barbecue faces here.” Thank goodness.
