JB's Smokeshak
I was recently in Charleston, SC on business and the client recommended JB's Smokeshak for lunch. I am familiar with SC buffet BBQ and like it. Sweatman's was a BBQ revelation one Friday night many years ago. Onto JB's-the Que was great. The chopped pork was flavorful and not overpowered with smoke. The smoked chicked was mighty tasty as was the fried chicken. JB's uses applewood for their smoked chicken. The hash was good, without the mustardy sauce many other BBQ restaurants put in it. The okra succotash was divine. I am a sucker for okra when it cooked right-stewed or fried- and JB's nailed it. The lima (butter) beans were cooked perfectly. I am not a collard greens guy, but my client said they were very good. They had too many other sides and I could not try them all. I was there for the Que and I ate my fill-and probably someone else's also. The banana pudding was reminecent of my childhood with the nilla wafers soggy but still retaining their crunch in the middle.
On to the negatives: the mac-n-cheese was dried out and could have used more cheese/flavor. The cole slaw was not to my liking. Maybe it was a different style (SC-style maybe) slaw and I'll leave it at that.
Overall, I will visit JB's again when I visit Charleston again next month. Too bad it will be so long until I get back. Please visit JB's who made this Tampa boy feel welcome and cannot wait to return.
Go Gators!
G8R Dan
