If
there is one fatal flaw in our blog -- or, we suppose, in any
food-related review endeavor -- it's that personal taste accounts for
quite a lot. In our case, this bodes well for dishes involving, say,
liquor, pasta, and cheese, and less well for those with beer, sweet
potatoes, and apparently, smoked meat.
 |
| Please Pass the Spaghetti |
See, the thing is,
it's not that Vodka dislikes barbeque, but it is not something that she
ever, EVER seeks out.
 |
| Except, Of Course, for OCD Blog Purposes |
This is possibly not the best state of mind in
which to be while slithering around
Texas in search of brisket,
specifically that which
Ted Allen highlighted on the
BAR-B-QUE episode
of
Best Thing I Ever Ate.
 |
| So... Is This All That's Left? |
When Vodka, Whiskey Sour, and
Diet Coke arrive at North Main BBQ in
Euless, TX, we are humored by the enormous signs posted outside delineating when they are
open (or more aptly, when they are NOT open, which is every day that is
not a weekend).
 |
| A Work Ethic to Emulate |
Upon entering, we can't locate the BBQ or the
restaurant itself, as the entire view is blocked by gargantuan piles of
disposable plates.
 |
| The Wizard of Oz Version of BBQ |
Once we make our way around the
structure and request an order of beef brisket, we are immediately given
an inquisitive look. "Why just the brisket?"
 |
| Um, Does Beef Brisket in Dallas Really Need a Reason? |
Whiskey Sour
and Diet Coke give Vodka a metaphorical nudge, and she explains that we
are here at the instruction of
Ted Allen.
 |
| Who Failed to Mention That North Main Also Possesses a SOFT ICE CREAM Machine |
With this news, the North Main
employees seem to take a liking to the northeasterners seemingly
overwhelmed by the platters of beef before them, and they begin doling out
their delicacies willy nilly.
 |
| We'll Take One Order to Share... Or Three Plates Worth. Either One |
We assemble ourselves at one
of the communal tables with our styrofoam cup beverages, and Diet Coke,
who chooses Diet Coke (naturally) is in the midst of a declaration about
how "Diet Coke drinkers tend to be very functional -- they're in high
places."
 |
| Yes, Well, So Are Whiskey Drinkers |
Before we can take a bite,
one of the North Main beef men scampers over holding "meat candy," which
he deposits on our plates, along with some choice burnt ends, as "
Ted Allen's favorite part of the brisket."
 |
| A Sensible Mid-Morning Snack |
While we are impressed, and quite
heartened by the cordiality, this also means that we now have
overflowing plates of BBQ before us, and we are feeling a tad
overwhelmed.
 |
| Looks Like We're Gonna Need More Paper Towels |
Thankfully, a few bites into the brisket, it
proves to be just as delectable as Ted Allen had described.
 |
| Meat Candy Featured in Front |
Tender to
the point of true melt-in-your-mouth goodness, it is flavorful even
before the addition of sauce.
 |
| Though Naturally, Vodka Still Drowns It in Sauce, Because It Is a Condiment |
In fact, the brisket here, along with the
pork ribs, are even more pleasing than the versions we tried the night
before at Pecan Lodge, which is considered by many to be some of the
best barbeque in Dallas, and
Whiskey Sour and Diet Coke would venture to
say that the brisket alone is truly the best they have ever had
anywhere.
 |
| BBQ Tray From Pecan Lodge, for Comparison |
And Vodka? She doesn't disagree. The brisket is
very, very good. But despite the satisfied moans coming from across the
table, she just can't bring herself to rank it a
5 star dish.
 |
| Despite Its Dearth of Hours, the Place Isn't Exactly Bumping with Business.... |
And
herein lies the flaw in the system of food, and taste, and all sorts of
subjectivity -- it's always a matter of personal preference. And
barbeque, no matter how outstanding, would never be something Vodka
would choose over, for instance, a heaping bowl of pasta.
 |
| After All, Pasta Rarely Gets Cooked in the Garage |
 |
| Anyone Have a Doggie Bag? |
Once we have properly stuffed ourselves, Whiskey Sour wraps the rest of our
provisions in an origami of paper napkins, and we head off in search of
the Fort Worth rodeo -- or in other words, to brisket's prelude.
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| Land of Annie Oakley |
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| Brisket on Parade |
North Main BBQ's Beef Brisket: 4 stars
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