Urban Bar-B-Que Company

Quite good Bar-B-Que. Donna and I went here recently, and were quite pleased. We split the “Ribs & pork” combo, which gave us a half-rack of ribs, and a pile of pulled pork. The ribs were fantastic, and I think we both deeply enjoyed them. Perhaps more than we expected. They were full sized pork ribs (not baby-backs), and ever-so-tender. The BBQ sauce on them was just a little bit sweet, but as someone who doesn’t at all like sweet BBQ sauces, this one was very good. The sweetness was subtle and pleasant, leaving plenty of room for good BBQ flavor. I quite liked it, despite being slightly sweet.

The pulled pork was also quite good. I am more a fan of the pork BBQ from Red, Hot, & Blue or other places like that, myself, but this was quite good. It was a bit vinegary, rather than being coated with BBQ sauce, but again, only subtly so. It was quite enjoyable, even tho not my favorite style of preparing pork BBQ. It was very tender and delicious, as pulled meat goes.

The cornbread? To die for. Also just a smidge sweet, but like the rib BBQ, not at all unpleasantly so. There were kernels of corn in them, and they were very tender. Perhaps fell apart a little too easily, but eating it with a fork worked well, in small bites. We’d intended to try the Key Lime Pie, as well, but sadly didn’t realize they closed at 8pm, so they’d already closed the register and kitchen. We’ll have to try it next time we’re there, which we hope will be soon.

Definately worth the trip. And we were able to find seating there. It’s small, but it’s much better than it was when they first opened. Not at all bad, if you can find a seat.

There were a lot of hungry pups crowded into the newly renovated Urban BBQ tonight. It’s going to be pretty hard to snag one of the 35 or so seats now available. But it’s still good for carryout. Oh, and on Dave’s recommendation, I tried the Soul Rolls. Fabulous junk food. Delicious.

4/19/05:

Not the best ’que I’ve ever had, but not bad for the DC region. Beef brisket was a bit dry; pork ribs were softly smoky and reasonably moist, not outstanding. Cornbread is moistest you ever ate, almost like a pudding. Beans strongly tasting of chili — kinda interesting. Texas sweet tea not sweet enough to deserve the moniker. Potato salad tasty and flavored with curry — hey, at least it’s different.

For meats you got yer pulled pork, pulled chicken, beef brisket, sausage, and chicken. Fer sides you got yer cole slaw, collards, fries, corn on the cob, mac & cheese, mashed potatoes and gravy, and of course the beans and potato salad. The menu also offers other junk food starters, salads, corn dogs, burgers, and so on. Nice touch: your choice of sauces. Quoting from the menu:

“Red”: Sweet and smoky tomato based with vinegar and molasses

“Yella”: Mustard based with lemon juice and brown sugar

“Carolina”: Apple cider vinegar with tomato and pepper

Red was tasty. Didn’t sample the other two.

Note: best for carryout. The butcher block table and window bar might — might — seat as many as ten people.

Also worth special mention — the “soul roll”, a fried eggroll of barbecue and cheese, served with a chili-esque dip. It’s listed as an appetizer, but it makes a pretty good meal by itself when you’re on a cholesterol finger-food binge.

-dave