The upcoming 4th of July holiday has me thinking about holiday eating! No surprise there!
People’s tastes in ribs and BBQ are a very subjective thing. I have known otherwise rational individuals to get quite animated and emotional in defending their own choice of the best place to find good ribs. Having spent time in the South with friends who worship the fine art of the “Pig Pickin’, I understand that the Boston area is not exactly a Mecca for BBQ. Still, it is possible within the boundaries of Red Sox Nation, to have one’s taste buds tickled by some passable hickory-smoked, Memphis dry-rubbed ribs. I have found several places to which I return when I have a hankering for some good ribs, but I was not really sure which one I considered the absolute best until I found myself on two separate occasions in the past few months venturing out in stormy weather to make a special trip to West Newton. I realized that I was voting with my mouth, and with the foot I use on the gas pedal, for the best BBQ in Boston. My destination on those occasions of craving BBQ was the Blue Ribbon BBQ on Washington Street in West Newton. They also have another location on Massachusetts Avenue, but I have not yet visited that location.
The service is surprising quick, since they always keep an impressive supply of ribs warm and ready to go. They are presented to you dry so that each customer can add his/her personal choice of BBQ sauce in just the right amount. My observation is that half the customers who arrived while I was there took the ribs home to eat, which other dined “in the rough” at the counters that surround the front of the store. I dined there and soaked in the laidback atmosphere with funky music playing in the background, savoring each delectable bite and watching the world pass by on Washington Street.
Blue Ribbon BBQ has earned a spot among The White Rhino’s Favorite Links From A-Z:
http://www.blueribbonbbq.com/menu.htm
Other locations worthy of mention for Boston area BBQ include:
Pit Stop BBQ
888 Morton Street
Boston
(Near the Mattapan/Dorchester line)
Redbones Barbecue in David Square, Somerville
http://www.redbones.com/
Uncle Pete’s Hickory Ribs in Revere
http://www.unclepetes.com/
Bob’ Southern Bistro (formerly “Bob the Chef’s”)
604 Columbus Avenue
Boston (South End)
http://www.bobssouthernbistro.com/
Enjoy!
Al
Friday, June 30, 2006
Fireworks At Fenway – An Instant Classic
Forget objectivity. Forget the fact that we have not even reached the All-Star break yet. Forget moderation. I am in the thrall of Pennant Fever over the Red Sox recent string of 12 consecutive victories and 16 consecutive errorless games – a major league record! And last night’s gladiatorial gem of a contest between Curt Schilling and Tom Glavine was one for the ages. It was a joy to be there, and I feel the need to share the joy with those who read The White Rhino Report.
I think most of us had anticipated a classic pitching duel that night before when Pedro returned to the Fenway mound. The 10-2 blowout by the Red Sox seemed almost anticlimactic. But the subsequent match-up of two career 200 game winners – the first such match-up at Fenway since Luis Tiant faced Jim Palmer in September of 1978 – lived up to, and exceeded, expectations. Both pitchers were dominant – matching scoreless innings through the first five frames. Glavine, a native of Billerica, Massachusetts, had a loyal group of family and friends cheering him on. Around the third inning, I realized I was sitting directly behind the Glavine clan – Tom’s parents, wife, children and countless other family members and friends. During a break in the action, I leaned forward and whispered to Tom’s mother: “It looks like you brought half the town of Billerica with you tonight!” She slowly turned her head, nodded in affirmation and offered a wry and knowing smile.
The Mets dented Schilling’s armor for two runs in the 6th, but the Red Sox came storming back with two of their own in the bottom of that inning. The score remained tied until Coco Crisp started the winning rally with a bunt single, stole second, advanced to third on a beautiful bunt by Alex Gonzalez, and scored on Kevin Youkalis’ sacrifice fly. The heavy hitting Red Sox can choose to play “little ball” when the situation calls for it.
Joining me for the game were my friend, John Anthony Simmons, an attorney from North Hampton, New Hampshire, and his five year-old son, Johnny, the most precocious and knowledgeable young baseball fan I have met. When Crisp reached base after his picture perfect bunt, I yelled: “That was a great a great infield hit!” Johnny whispered in my ear: “You can also call it a ‘bunt single.’”
The game included more than a dozen notable plays – each one worthy of “Web Gem” status. A spectacular diving stop by Youkalis at first base, snaring what looked to be a sure double. Varitek throwing out the speedy Reyes trying to steal second. Schilling deftly picking Franco off second to squelch a potential Mets rally. Loretta spearing a line drive. Kapler making a fine running catch in right. But all of these fine plays were mere prelude to the play of the game – nay, the play of the season, decade, century, millennium – you choose!
In the 8th inning, with the score 3-2 in favor of Boston, the game on the line and a Mets runner on second base, Mets star David Wright launched a Mike Timlin pitch into the steamy night air towards the centerfield wall. It looked like a certain game-tying double. Coco Crisp sprinted to his right, and at the optimal moment, made a balletic leap into the air, catching the ball across his body, and slightly behind him. Players on both teams who were interviewed after the game called it the greatest catch they had ever seen. I would have to agree. I have watched a lot of baseball over the years, and can count on the fingers of one hand the plays that took my breath away. This play did just that. I was stunned, and felt a frisson of chills at the immensity of what Crisp accomplished in that split second. The crowd rose as one and screamed their approbation and delight as the hero of the moment jogged towards the dugout and walked into a new niche of respect and a place of legend in the hearts of Red Sox Nation - instantly eradicating any residual hold that his predecessor in center field may have had on Sox fans. Johnny who?!
If you have not yet had a chance to see “The Catch,” go to http://www.mlb.com/ or http://www.redsox.com/ to replay the video of Crisp’s historic leap of faith. The stories in today’s Globe, Herald, New York Post and New York Daily News are worth reading.
Oh, yes. Papi capped a 3 for 4 night at the plate when he rocketed another gargantuan homerun into the bleachers in center field to add an insurance run in the bottom of the 8th inning. Yawn! I have run out of superlatives when it comes to trying to describe the exploits and heroics of Senor Ortiz.
One more thing. Wunderkind closer Jonathan Papelbon put his oar in the water to bring this Love Boat cruise into home port by dispatching the Mets on 8 pitches in the 9th inning, notching his 24th save - a Red Sox rookie record shared with the late and legendary "Monster," Dick Radatz.
The Red Sox can’t keep up this string of perfection forever, but it is fun while it lasts.
Bring on the Marlins!
Al
I think most of us had anticipated a classic pitching duel that night before when Pedro returned to the Fenway mound. The 10-2 blowout by the Red Sox seemed almost anticlimactic. But the subsequent match-up of two career 200 game winners – the first such match-up at Fenway since Luis Tiant faced Jim Palmer in September of 1978 – lived up to, and exceeded, expectations. Both pitchers were dominant – matching scoreless innings through the first five frames. Glavine, a native of Billerica, Massachusetts, had a loyal group of family and friends cheering him on. Around the third inning, I realized I was sitting directly behind the Glavine clan – Tom’s parents, wife, children and countless other family members and friends. During a break in the action, I leaned forward and whispered to Tom’s mother: “It looks like you brought half the town of Billerica with you tonight!” She slowly turned her head, nodded in affirmation and offered a wry and knowing smile.
The Mets dented Schilling’s armor for two runs in the 6th, but the Red Sox came storming back with two of their own in the bottom of that inning. The score remained tied until Coco Crisp started the winning rally with a bunt single, stole second, advanced to third on a beautiful bunt by Alex Gonzalez, and scored on Kevin Youkalis’ sacrifice fly. The heavy hitting Red Sox can choose to play “little ball” when the situation calls for it.
Joining me for the game were my friend, John Anthony Simmons, an attorney from North Hampton, New Hampshire, and his five year-old son, Johnny, the most precocious and knowledgeable young baseball fan I have met. When Crisp reached base after his picture perfect bunt, I yelled: “That was a great a great infield hit!” Johnny whispered in my ear: “You can also call it a ‘bunt single.’”
The game included more than a dozen notable plays – each one worthy of “Web Gem” status. A spectacular diving stop by Youkalis at first base, snaring what looked to be a sure double. Varitek throwing out the speedy Reyes trying to steal second. Schilling deftly picking Franco off second to squelch a potential Mets rally. Loretta spearing a line drive. Kapler making a fine running catch in right. But all of these fine plays were mere prelude to the play of the game – nay, the play of the season, decade, century, millennium – you choose!
In the 8th inning, with the score 3-2 in favor of Boston, the game on the line and a Mets runner on second base, Mets star David Wright launched a Mike Timlin pitch into the steamy night air towards the centerfield wall. It looked like a certain game-tying double. Coco Crisp sprinted to his right, and at the optimal moment, made a balletic leap into the air, catching the ball across his body, and slightly behind him. Players on both teams who were interviewed after the game called it the greatest catch they had ever seen. I would have to agree. I have watched a lot of baseball over the years, and can count on the fingers of one hand the plays that took my breath away. This play did just that. I was stunned, and felt a frisson of chills at the immensity of what Crisp accomplished in that split second. The crowd rose as one and screamed their approbation and delight as the hero of the moment jogged towards the dugout and walked into a new niche of respect and a place of legend in the hearts of Red Sox Nation - instantly eradicating any residual hold that his predecessor in center field may have had on Sox fans. Johnny who?!
If you have not yet had a chance to see “The Catch,” go to http://www.mlb.com/ or http://www.redsox.com/ to replay the video of Crisp’s historic leap of faith. The stories in today’s Globe, Herald, New York Post and New York Daily News are worth reading.
Oh, yes. Papi capped a 3 for 4 night at the plate when he rocketed another gargantuan homerun into the bleachers in center field to add an insurance run in the bottom of the 8th inning. Yawn! I have run out of superlatives when it comes to trying to describe the exploits and heroics of Senor Ortiz.
One more thing. Wunderkind closer Jonathan Papelbon put his oar in the water to bring this Love Boat cruise into home port by dispatching the Mets on 8 pitches in the 9th inning, notching his 24th save - a Red Sox rookie record shared with the late and legendary "Monster," Dick Radatz.
The Red Sox can’t keep up this string of perfection forever, but it is fun while it lasts.
Bring on the Marlins!
Al
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