148206 Mon Jun 07 18:42:34 -0700 2004 17 12 Boston Area 0 794648 Has anyone heard of, or eaten at, The American Barbecue, in Rowley, Ma? Just wondering how it compares to Blue Ribbon, my father's favorite...We went for his birthday yesterday...As usual, it was great...What do they *PUT* in those mashed potatoes? ;) Dad had a half-rack, which always seems like a rack elsewhere, Mom had the briskit, and I had a great 5-spiced salmon sandwich with chipotle mayo for $5.95, with two sides...I really love this place! Dad's b-day dessert was their Key-Lime Pie, which I had naver had(anywhere)...How delightful...Tart, seet, smooth and rich, with almost a baked-cheesecake mouth-texture.... Link: http://bistrodraw.com Mon Jun 07 18:42:34 -0700 2004 0 galleygirl 1 794649 We attempted going to American Barbecue two Saturday's ago. It's cafeteria style, stood in line for ten minutes and did not move. It was just overly torcherous. The menu was pricy for a 'cafeteria'. We walked out. It smelled great, yet had the atmosphere of a 'bring the kids to run around' type place.And that coming from someone who likes kids! Mon Jun 07 18:48:36 -0700 2004 794648 0 mike 1 794650 For the record, a rack of ribs is 13 bones. A half rack is either 6 or 7, depending on which end it is cut from. Some restaurants will deceptively refer to any part of a slab as a "rack". Mon Jun 07 21:06:22 -0700 2004 794648 0 AlanH™ 2 794663 My father had 9 or 10; I don't know where that comes in the continuum...whenever he orders 1/2, there always seem to be a few more hiding underneath..;) Not that he was complaining... Link: http://bistrodraw.com Tue Jun 08 09:53:31 -0700 2004 794650 0 galleygirl 1 794666 Where is blue ribbon? I'd love to try it! Tue Jun 08 10:10:55 -0700 2004 794648 0 zach 2 794667 Search the board for "Blue Ribbon" or "Barbecue", Blue Ribbon gets lots of posts..... WEST NEWTON, MA 1375 Washington St tel 617 332 2583 fax 617 527 7427 ARLINGTON, MA 908 Massachusetts Ave tel 781 648 7427 fax 781 648 9100 Link: http://www.blueribbonbbq.com/default.htm Tue Jun 08 10:19:40 -0700 2004 794666 0 galleygirl 3 794693 Don't forget the mini Blue Ribbon inside the River St. Whole Foods Market, in Cambridge. Tue Jun 08 15:00:15 -0700 2004 794667 0 Ruprecht 4 794694 I've heard that's not as good, because the quality of meat they use is too high, not enough fat...;) Plus, it doesn't do it for me cuz they don't have good sides or fish sandwiches..... Link: http://bistrodraw.com Tue Jun 08 15:02:58 -0700 2004 794693 0 galleygirl 4 794715 nah, you can forget about it. not nearly as good as the other location. Wed Jun 09 00:39:06 -0700 2004 794693 0 Nab 2 794668 Blue Ribbon is on Rte 16 in West Newton. That is Washington St near Exit 16 Off the MA Pike. Exit 16 is only on the Westbound side of the Pike. Tue Jun 08 10:19:58 -0700 2004 794666 0 wineack 1 794738 We get take-out there frequently -- good, smoky meat. I don't think they have as many sides as Blue Ribbon, but my wife is ga-ga over their sweet-potato fries. Wed Jun 09 11:49:26 -0700 2004 794648 0 Homer 1 794745 Have not eaten there, but North Shore Sunday gave it a sterling review about 6 months ago, FWIW. I recall the phrase "so tender it melts off the bone". I don't take their reviews for much, but it might be interesting to google up. More importantly, since you and your father have eaten there, how about telling us YOUR opinions, before soliciting a consensus from everyone else? Between a half (or 2/3) rack, a cajun salmon, and a key lime pie, you must have SOME impression of the place! Wed Jun 09 12:43:07 -0700 2004 794648 0 decaf jeff 2 794751 Have some Decaf, Jeff. GG said she took dad to Blue Ribbon, and wonders how it compares to American BBQ. Wed Jun 09 13:32:41 -0700 2004 794745 0 yumyum 3 794754 So 95% of the post was about the WRONG place? Pardon my confusion. Wed Jun 09 13:41:21 -0700 2004 794751 0 decaf jeff 4 794781 What makes the post about the "WRONG" place? It was a simple request for a comparison to a very popular BBQ place. If someone had eaten at both Blue Ribbon and American BBQ, it would be a simple matter to provide a comparison. You're 0 for 2. Why don't you read more carefully before criticizing posters asking legitimate question...and maybe post when you actually have something to contribute about finding good chow. Wed Jun 09 21:51:26 -0700 2004 794754 0 9lives 2 794752 She asked about American BBQ, asking how it compares, for example, to Blue Ribbon, her father's favorite 'cue restaurant, where they ate said foods for his birthday. Wed Jun 09 13:33:18 -0700 2004 794745 0 Dax 3 794757 I ate there once and IMHO it is OK but not blue ribbon or uncle pete's..... the mustard sauce was very good howeger Wed Jun 09 14:03:50 -0700 2004 794752 0 diski 2 794765 Barbeque is not supposed to 'melt off the bone'. I would point this out politely to the North Shore Sunday. Dax, however, would most likely put the yankee editorial staff in his smoker as he stabbed at them ferociously with an unsanitized BBQ fork. Wed Jun 09 16:21:37 -0700 2004 794745 0 joypirate