I am a BBQ Restaurant's worst nightmare. I am a very hard critic on my own "Q" and just as hard on others. I think the rest of my family is as bad or worse. I can't tell you how many ribs or sandwiches that we have left half eaten because my kids refused to finish them. So why do I continue to go into every establishment I can? It's because every once in a while you come across a gem. A finding so special that it makes you stop and wonder … this is so darn good … how do they do it? I found such a place not too long ago. It's not a secret but it's the middle of nowhere but you must stand in line to make your order. It's called "Keaton's Barbecue" and it's in Cleveland, NC.
Now they certainly have traditional chopped BBQ, which I have tried, but I do not go back time and again for that dish. It's their BBQ Chicken. I don't know how they do it but the bird has a slight and very pleasant smokiness to it like it has spent some time on a smoker but then has the characteristics of fried chicken. I do know that after the cooking process they dip it in their famous sauce which is a combo Vinegar and Tomato sauce. Very tangy, very different and you can get it either mild or hot. The outcome is a thing of beauty and something that I actually get a craving for. I have asked to get back in the kitchen to see the cooking process but they have refuted me at very attempt. I can't really blame them but maybe one day I will wear them down :)
Oh well, until that time I guess I will take the two hour round trip like I took today to satisfy that chicken craving that only Keaton's can deliver for me.
Hurricane