Certain restaurants exert a sort of tractor beam. You might not head there for a night out, but if you are in the neighborhood, if you stray into their field of attraction, you are inevitably drawn in. It really isn't a choice — their allure pulls you.
Such is the case with Smoque, the barbecue joint at 3800 North Pulaski. I found myself a dozen blocks south, checking out the Balloon Museum experience — I'll share that Monday. That required I show up about 11 a.m. So when I finished experiencing giant balloons, about 12:30, there was no doubt where I was going to lunch.
The only question was what to eat. Trying to avoid bread, I nixed the sandwiches, and happened to have ribs for dinner the night before. So no ribs. My mind quickly settled on the brisket platter. Sure, I could have got it with slaw and two sides — but one of those sides would have to be beans, and the other probably corn bread, and while I did have my insulin with me, I didn't want to overload on carbs. The full platter also cost $27.50. Which is quite a lot of for a quick solo lunch on a Wednesday.
So I opted for the a la carte platter, depicted above. Which cost ... I almost said "only cost" but that isn't quite right ... $18.50. Or $4.62 per slice. Quite a lot, really.
Although. It is very, very good brisket, falling apart at a touch. And the sauces are superb. I went from looking at my order rather dubiously, prior to the first bite, thinking, "That's it?" to eating it, quite quickly, and realizing, with satisfaction, "That's it!"
The only question was what to eat. Trying to avoid bread, I nixed the sandwiches, and happened to have ribs for dinner the night before. So no ribs. My mind quickly settled on the brisket platter. Sure, I could have got it with slaw and two sides — but one of those sides would have to be beans, and the other probably corn bread, and while I did have my insulin with me, I didn't want to overload on carbs. The full platter also cost $27.50. Which is quite a lot of for a quick solo lunch on a Wednesday.
So I opted for the a la carte platter, depicted above. Which cost ... I almost said "only cost" but that isn't quite right ... $18.50. Or $4.62 per slice. Quite a lot, really.
Although. It is very, very good brisket, falling apart at a touch. And the sauces are superb. I went from looking at my order rather dubiously, prior to the first bite, thinking, "That's it?" to eating it, quite quickly, and realizing, with satisfaction, "That's it!"
I have to point out that service at Smoque is excellent, as warm and inviting as their brisket. None of the take-this-and-get-out tone found at too many places. I ordered a side of mac and cheese to go, for my wife for dinner, and the smoked beans for myself. Taking my tray, I wondered where they were, and was told the sides were already bagged and tucked in a hot box, waiting until I finished my meal — which, lingering, took all of three minutes. That's the thing when you're selling gold — even a little bit, well, it's still gold.