The Laughing Wolf

For The Fourth: Best Food

5{s doesn’t get some controversy going, nothing will. :) With the Fourth coming up fast, I though I would list what I consider to be the best in some traditional food. Note that I am a snob/purist and don’t consider anything just thrown on a grill as BBQ, for that requires real wood, slow cooking, and a few other things. Without futher ado, allow me to present:

Best Ribs: Fresh Air BBQ, Jackson, Georgia. These are the best ribs I have ever eaten anywhere in the world. They don’t need sauce, but putting on some of their homemade can bring out a world of extra flavor. They are tender, slow cooked, and you can bite into the bone and not know it until you taste the marrow. They only do a certain amount per day, and that is it, so get there early.

Best Pulled BBQ: Bar-B-Cutie, Nashville, Tennessee. Real BBQ is like this: moist, flavorful, and needing of no sauce to give it either. The gentle smoke brings out the flavor of the meat so well, and the texture is excellent. Word of advice, don’t get a large sandwich to go and try to eat it in the car as it is pretty much impossible to pick it up one handed.

Best Hot Dog: Byron’s Hot Dog Haus, Chicago, Illinois. Chicago knows how to do hotdogs better than anywhere else in the world, and Byron’s sets the standard for Chicago. One of their deluxe dogs is like great sex: it is going to be messy, get everywhere, but taste and be oh-so-fun. Don’t be a wimp, get the one with everything including the peppers.

Best Hamburger: Goose Island Brew Pub, Chicago, Illinois. The beer is wonderful, but they do a hamburger with a bleu cheese on it, served on a pumpernickel bun, that is to die for. Get it and a good IPA or Kilgubbin and enjoy. For dessert, if they have it, get the Imperial Russian Stout served in a snifter and do not drive. I rarely find a taxi driver who knows how to get there, but fortunately it is located across from a great place known to almost every driver: Sam’s Wine and Liquor Superstore. Give them that, then it is an easy find.

Honorable Mention: County Line Bar-B-Q, Albuquerque, New Mexico. I understand that there are now two locations, but the only one I have ever gone to is at the foot of Sandia. If you want fine dining, go on up the hill, but for good BBQ, pull up at the base and enjoy this place. A different style from what I grew up on, but good portions, fairly good flavors, and a lot of fun.

Before the screams of outrage being, let me say the following: Yes, I have had Memphis ribs; yes, I have had BBQ in Texas; yes, I do know better but am using BBQ because I am lazy; yes, I have had BBQ literally around the world; and, yes, I am biased but I have tried to be fair. These are my picks, and the fun is in trying things for yourself. Go, have fun, and enjoy.

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