Buz and Neds

This first post with content will be about my meal tonight. A man date with Mr. Alan Guild. Alan had texted me earlier in the day about getting dinner. I would be working till 7:30 or so. Upon my release from job #2 for the day, and after a day of not eating anything after my peanut butter and honey sandwich this morning at 10:30 (I usually make a more substantial meal before a day where I won't have a chance to eat but I was preoccupied with trying to stop my elbow from bleeding. That's another story though), I called Alan and he had in fact not eaten. "Ribs, you say?" I said.

He mentioned he had never tried the award winning ribs at Buz and Ned's, so off we went. Buz and Ned's is a Richmond landmark ever since Buz went up against Bobby Flay on "Throwdown" on the food network. Needless to say, Buz destroyed Bobby Flay and a continuous loop of the episode plays in the restaurant. It has become the kind of place that doesn't really need to advertise anymore. On most nights, especially warm summer nights or any time when it is nice to be outside given their huge outdoor patio, there is a line out the door.

I was ravenous by this point, it having been almost 11 hours since I had last eaten. I flirted with the idea of the large pulled pork sandwich meal, which consists of two pulled pork sandwiches and 2 sides for the very reasonable price of $10.something, but I went with the small, which saves you about $2.something and is the same thing minus an excessive second sandwich.I chose hush puppies and baked beans for my sides. I guess I was feeling resentment towards vegetables. I ordered my meal, added a tea, filled up my cup and went to take a seat. I heard Alan behind me ordering the spare ribs. Spare ribs?! Why not the baby backs? As a great man once said, "If you're gonna do it, do it right." That great man was one of the guys who worked on rebuilding the balcony at my apartment the other day. He seemed quote worthy and our new balcony is kickin'!

After a decent, but expected wait, "David M. Order up" was announced. I heard, "David M? Europe." I sprang out of my seat, probably leaving Alan in mid-sentence. I don't care. I started by picking at my hush puppies. They were perfect. Crispy and hot, but not burning and the inside still the slightest bit doughy. I think it's funny that it's acceptable to take little nuggets of fried breading and dip them in butter. Next time I'll ask for them bacon wrapped as well. I quickly and accidentally finished my hush puppies and moved on to my baked beans. They were tangy with a great texture. Not like Bush's beans. These still have their bean shells very much intact whereas some baked beans are cooked to death and just turn into homogeneous, albeit delicious, mush. They have pieces of bacon ends which gives a great smokey flavor and enough green pepper to give that taste that is so familiar to bad microwavable Italian food, but it's very appropriate in this context. I didn't want to be finished before Alan even got his ribs, so I waited.

"Mike, Europe. Alan, Europe." Alan stood and I began my sandwich. The thought that I might be finished with my sandwich before he got back with his meal in hand crossed my mind. I paced myself. A little.

Now the thought comes into my mind that I might not want to just rave about everything in my blog. Maybe it was a bad idea to start with Buz in Ned's if that is indeed what I don't want to do because they really do do barbecue pretty close to perfectly. My sandwich was had perfect flavor and great texture. Alan's ribs were fantastic. I still think the baby back are better, but the spare ribs were very good and if you like ribs a little less falling-off-the-bone and with a bit more fibrous muscly texture, then are they way to go. I was very satisfied and it made for a lovely man date. I should have taken my camera but my emaciated state from a day of not eating and working left me without my better judgment.

So maybe I ought to make up a rating scale for restaurants? Can I really sum up how I feel in a number so scientifically? Here's what I'll do. I'll tell you whether you should go there. On that scale, Buz and Ned's receives a coveted, "Yes."

Until I dine again, I am faithfully and "plate-fully" yours,
David