The BBQ Tour: Smokey D's BBQ, cont'd
Smokey D's BBQ | Des Moines, Iowa
We ordered our meals and settled in at the bar.
My friends ordered ribs with sides, potato casserole, mac & cheese, homemade chips and ranch dipping sauce.
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I ordered the smoked wings with their competition sauce and bleu cheese dipping sauce...
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These wings were some of the best I have ever eaten. The sauce was addicting from the first bite. Sweet and tangy, I was covered from ear to ear. I suspected I was on to the ingredients of the competition sauce!
...Ribs and burnt ends with potato casserole and cole slaw
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We all agreed the ribs were consistent all the way through, no dried ends. Juicyhotperfectender. The burnt ends weren't actually burnt, but the most tender juicy brisket I have ever eaten.
The sides were definitely made from scratch and were very flavorful. We were curious about the seasoning of the potato casserole.
yummy!
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Next, Darren gives us the grand tour.
The BBQ Tour: Smokey D's BBQ, cont'd
Smokey D's BBQ | Des Moines, Iowa
We talked with Darren before heading to the kitchen. They have 94 employees, 8 of them located in their downtown locations. We walked into the kitchen at about 2:30 pm and I was amazed at how clean everything was. The volume of business they do and the back of the house was pretty well kept up. All of the employees were focused on their jobs with a little friendly banter.
The next thing that stood out was that nearly everything is made from scratch. All hand breaded appetizers. All the sauces and sides being made right before our eyes! Only one of the appetizers is brought in ready for the fryer.
I told Darren that I was on to one of his competition sauces, (the wing sauce) it had to be honey with dry rub and another bbq sauce. Darren said "No.". Umm, ok.
We stopped by two of their smokers. They bring in 250 pounds of dry rub at a time and use 50 lbs. per day.
"Tater" (L) Smokey D's Pitmaster, and Darren Warth (R) Co-Owner Smokey D's
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Smokey D's uses cherry wood for their smoke.
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ahhh, perfect ribs!
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On our way out of the kitchen I told Darren that I will have to come back every week to try the entire menu. Then I mentioned the honey/dry rub/sauce. "Did you see any honey in the kitchen?" Umm, no? Darren's favorite meal is actually breakfast. He clued me into some hot spots in town that I will be following up on.. Darren did mention they will be looking at expanding to two more locations. At the north location he is looking at adding live blues on Wednesday nights.
Smokey D's is all about consistent perfect ribs and smoked meats. Throw in a scratch made menu and how can you go wrong?
...and about that honey sauce? lol!
more....
Cityview | Central Iowa's Independent Weekly
Smokey D's BBQ | Facebook
Cityview | Central Iowa's Independent Weekly
The BBQ Tour: Woody's Smoke Shack
The BBQ Tour: Woody's Smoke Shack, cont'd
Woody's Smoke Shack - BBQ Catering -- Dine In -- Carry Out -- The Absolute Best!!
We arrived early. They bring out a full sheet tray of their corn bread that you help yourself to.
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There was a cake like crumble to their corn bread. A sugary crust on top gave it a little crunch. Two bottles of warm honey were available.
Woody's does not serve alcohol, but you are welcome to bring your own.
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We both ordered the same meals, One meat and two sides for $8.49. I ordered mac&chz and collards. Somehow we ended up with an extra side on each plate!
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Mmm, cheesy potatoes!
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These baby back ribs were nearly fall off the bone tender and very smokey. The rub was on the sweeter side which worked great with the smoke.
Yumm!
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We will return next week to try more of their smoked meats.
