Sunday, November 07, 2010

A new family favorite

A new favorite lunch and dinner place for our family is Urbana's Black Dog Smoke and Ale House on Broadway. They've been open for just under a year and are doing fantastically. Find them on facebook here. They are open everyday starting at 11am.

It is a pub so they have all the usual alcohol, etc. But we don't go there to hang out and drink. We go there to eat...and eat well. This is real smoked, delicious pit barbeque (and although you can taste the smoke it is subtle and you won't smell like it when you leave...so a great lunch spot).

They have the usual pork and brisket but also chicken, sausage, and some fish (portabellos and great grilled cheese for vegetarians). The best is, they offer burnt ends (which are the ends of the brisket, re-seasoned and re-smoked). These come in small quantities and go FAST. (tip: try to get there between 11am-12pm or 5-6pm for the best spot at these morsels). They offer sandwiches as well as platters and daily specials. They have some appetizers if you just want something to go with your beer (which, I've been told they have a great selection). Their sides are equally fantastic to their meats...the slaw (which comes on the sandwiches) is perfect and the twice baked potato casserole is perfect on a fall day. My family is also partial to the sweet potato fries. I love the lemonade (real lemonade!). They offer a variety of sauces to appeal to everyone.

It is very reasonably priced (my husband can get lunch with drinks for about $16, our family got out for about $30 (the boys shared a sandwich)). The service is very friendly. It can get busy during lunch hour but if go other times, it is a very relaxed atmosphere (they have a couple big screens to watch sports, etc.). I will mention the bathrooms are tiny (a challenge for the pregnant mom and a child to share).

Honestly, once we find a place that everyone in the family, especially our picky-7yo, likes, we go there a lot. So get yourself there!

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