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Guest Review of Review of Belmont BBQ 816 Hinton Ave. Charlottesville, VA 434.979.RIBS (7427) www.belmontbbq.com By Joseph Jacobs Reviewed August of 2008, ©2008 |
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Yes, Virginia, there is real barbecue in the state of Virginia and it's pretty good. 
Belmont BBQ in Charlottesville VA uses real wood to cook and flavor their meat slowly, and it shows. The hardwood coal flavor embeds deep within but doesn't overwhelm. The taste and texture of their pork barbecue is not unlike you'd find at a pig pickin' that a friend was having, a true hand-pulled texture with virtually no chop to it all.
That homemade presentation is both its strength and its weakness. For me, they simply don't spend much time grooming before serving it. 
When you have to pick around the pieces of burned skin, undercooked fat globules and other unidentifiable pieces of who knows what, that's not good and it's why I'm only giving it a three out of four pig rating. Their actual 'cue, when you pick around enough pieces to eat, taste like a real four-pig product.
Their "slop bucket", no kidding on the name, is their signature entrée presentation and the eleven dollar large one will fill the most cavernous of stomachs. Since they serve all their food in Styrofoam cups, I suppose it was logical to throw a good part of the menu into a concoction of cheesy potatoes, pulled pork, cole slaw, bbq beans and their mild barbeque sauce added. It's actually quite good once you get past the way it looks but is definitely an acquired taste. "Cheesy potatoes" is their signature side dish, 
a simple presentation of mashes potatoes and cheese with a slight tang of mild onion. While usually very good, on the odd occasion they'll miss, will taste like it's a couple of days old or is served cold. If not hot when served, send them back. Their beer battered onion rings are also usually good, though they're a bit greasy and need to be served right out of fryer too.
Their ice tea comes out of a standard stainless brewer/dispenser and is acceptable. Their fudge brownie for dessert (you wouldn't expect to find banana pudding in Virginia?) is absolutely deadly. Do be advised that while they have a handful of tables outside, there is no seating at all inside the establishment. Belmont BBQ was and is primarily a take-out place, hence the way everything's served in to-go cups and boxes, one without a drive-thru and in an older downtown neighborhood where parking sucks. While a little difficult to find if you're not a local (which is true about almost any good barbecue place), considering there is precious little authentic barbecue in Virginia, Belmont BBQ is definitely worth seeking out. |
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