Big Dave's BBQ

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  I can't pass up trying a new BBQ joint 'cause I just miss it being stuck in the midwest instead of down in Texas or south of the Mason Dixon line.  So when I drove by this true hole-in-the wall place where you order outside from the BBQ trailer and the pit is smoking away on your left, I just had to stop and give 'em a try.  They offer indoor seating right next door to where they've parked the trailer in what appears to be part of the Warren County 4H building (a steel sided pole barn) that's located right on Hwy28.  
  
  So what's not to like?  By all appearances this should be the perfect mecca of great BBQ right?  And indeed I had high hopes when I walked up and the pit was smoking.  I ordered their daily special of chicken and 2 sides  instead of their pulled pork or ribs, well, because it was on special.  I probably should've had the pork.  
  
  I was hoping to get a really nice smoky chicken with a nice reddish tinted meat (from smoking) that was ready to fall off the bone and crispy, flavorful skin.  To my utter disappointment, what I got appeared to have been stored in a warmer soaking in barbecue sauce.  No smoky flavor at all, meat was white with no hint of reddish smoke coloring, no crispy skin.  The only saving grace was that it was indeed falling off the bone.  My potato salad was the usual yellow mustard based one with bits of pickles that you seem to get everywhere.  Ok, so I make my potato salad completely differently with no mustard or pickles and use celery seeds and green onions so I admit the mustard and pickle based ones aren't my preference, but I've still had better ones of this style.  The cole slaw was so watery and vinegary it was almost inedible.  I NEVER leave food on my plate and I didn't finish these 2 sides, that's how bad they were.
  
  I was really wanting to give this place at least 3 stars as I just hate to give a mom & pop establishment anything lower, but I really can't based on this one lunch.  Maybe their pork and other sides are better, but I don't know.  And yes, I am really picky about my Q as I've been fortunate to sample some of the best (and yes, I do rate my own up there with no apologies!), but even by my lowered expectations from anything away from the south the chicken and sides here just don't cut it.

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  Posted on 03.21.13 Tom C.

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