Getting good BBQ in Vermont is a challenge. There just aren't many places,
and most of them are not where I am (central Vermont).

Friday that changed (though I didn't find out it changed until today). A
new place called Finkerman's Bar-B-Q opened on Friday night.

We were driving to the drug store when we saw the sign (we'd heard a place
was supposed to start construction in December, but we'd not heard anything
since). We drove back and took a look after getting our shopping done, and
sure enough, it was OPEN. I was so excited. We went in and had dinner.

We both had combo plates ($11.95), pulled pork and spareribs, cornbread,
and a choice of two sides (we both had hushpuppies, I had Vermont cheddar
mac and cheese and he had jalapeno cheese grits).

This was not the best BBQ I've ever had, but it IS the best BBQ I've had in
Vermont. The pulled pork was really good. Tender, delicious, great mouth
feel, not too saucy, and the sauce was not too sweet. They had spicy sauce
on the table to add. The spareribs were meaty and cooked well, though not
as tender as I've had elsewhere, I'm willing to bet that's more them
getting used to the volume they need to produce, and how long it takes to
smoke that amount.

If we'd ordered an appetizer or salad (as we usually do), we'd have been
stuffed. As it was, we each could have happily eaten a couple more
spareribs but we didn't leave feeling hungry, just like we'd have enjoyed
some more but it's probably good we didn't get it.

The grits were great, and they add something to their hushpuppies that
makes their flavour just burst (definately the best hushpuppies I've had
outside of my own kitchen in at least eight years, possibly longer), and I
need to figure out their secret ingredient (preferably by eating many more
of them). It was very subtle. I'm thinking it's cayenne but I could be
wrong.

The mac and cheese needed to either be made with more cheddar, sharper
cheddar, or have some spices and/or onions added to it, but as it is, it'd
be suitable for kids who aren't too fond of spicy stuff. The grits were
just wonderful (we bought a container of them to bring home, along with a
pound of the pulled pork).

The cornbread was competent. Not too dry, not sweet, had good flavour,
perhaps I should have taken a bite of it before I bit into the hushpuppies
'cos I didn't go "wow" with the cornbread like I did the hushpuppies.

They have a nice array of sides to choose from, and many vegetarian options
(including a marinated tempeh, and vegetarian black beans). They offer a
"blue plate special" with four sides and cornbread or biscuits for $8.25

They have bulk take-out, and everything on their regular menu is available
for take-out. I've already added them to the cell phone speed dial.

They have a variety of sandwiches, interesting salads, chicken and
andouille gumbo, and stuff from the grill, as well.

All in all I'm massively pleased. This may not be as good as some of you
pit-meisters can pull yourself, and it's not as good as what you can get in
the south, but for Vermont, this is damn good BBQ, and I'm gonna be going
there a lot! Next time I'll try the biscuits, and maybe the bourbon pecan
pie (though I'll have to walk an extra half hour afterwards, it'll be worth
it!).

So if you're wandering through the central Vermont area and lookin' for
some good food to stick to yer gut, give Finkerman's Bar-B-Q a try.

They're located at 186 River Street in Monpelier (call for directions, it's
tucked away by the river behind some other buildings), 802-229-2995.

--
Siobhan Perricone
"Ok, I know a whole generation has been raised on a notion of
multiculturalism. That all civilisations are just different.
No, not always. Sometimes things are better. Rule of law
is better than autocracy and theocracy. Equality of the
sexes - Better. Protection of minorities - Better. Free
speech - Better. Free elections - Better. Free appliances
with large purchases - Better. Don't get so tolerant that
you tolerate intolerance." - Bill Maher

Siobhan Perricone > writes:

> Getting good BBQ in Vermont is a challenge. There just aren't many places,
> and most of them are not where I am (central Vermont).
>
> Friday that changed (though I didn't find out it changed until today). A
> new place called Finkerman's Bar-B-Q opened on Friday night.
>
> We were driving to the drug store when we saw the sign (we'd heard a place
> was supposed to start construction in December, but we'd not heard anything
> since). We drove back and took a look after getting our shopping done, and
> sure enough, it was OPEN. I was so excited. We went in and had dinner.
>
> We both had combo plates ($11.95), pulled pork and spareribs, cornbread,
> and a choice of two sides (we both had hushpuppies, I had Vermont cheddar
> mac and cheese and he had jalapeno cheese grits).
>
> This was not the best BBQ I've ever had, but it IS the best BBQ I've had in
> Vermont.

Have you been to River Run in Plainfield, VT? If so, how does it
compare?

Rich (who is always happy to more good restaurants in VT/NH... Now, if
only a Vietnamese place could open closer to me than Nashua, NH or
Burlington, VT...)


--
Richard W Kaszeta

http://www.kaszeta.org/rich

On 30 Mar 2004 17:49:03 -0600, Richard Kaszeta > wrote:

>Siobhan Perricone > writes:
>
>> Getting good BBQ in Vermont is a challenge. There just aren't many places,
>> and most of them are not where I am (central Vermont).
>>
>> Friday that changed (though I didn't find out it changed until today). A
>> new place called Finkerman's Bar-B-Q opened on Friday night.
>>
>> We were driving to the drug store when we saw the sign (we'd heard a place
>> was supposed to start construction in December, but we'd not heard anything
>> since). We drove back and took a look after getting our shopping done, and
>> sure enough, it was OPEN. I was so excited. We went in and had dinner.
>>
>> We both had combo plates ($11.95), pulled pork and spareribs, cornbread,
>> and a choice of two sides (we both had hushpuppies, I had Vermont cheddar
>> mac and cheese and he had jalapeno cheese grits).
>>
>> This was not the best BBQ I've ever had, but it IS the best BBQ I've had in
>> Vermont.
>
>Have you been to River Run in Plainfield, VT? If so, how does it
>compare?

I've not been to River Run yet, though I'm willing to bet Finkerman's is
not as good, but it's also not as expensive as River Run. Finkerman's is
also larger, with fewer scary-looking teens hanging out in front and lots
of tables in front of windows with a nice view of the river and some woods
across the river.

>Rich (who is always happy to more good restaurants in VT/NH... Now, if
>only a Vietnamese place could open closer to me than Nashua, NH or
>Burlington, VT...)

I was thinking there was one in Montpelier, but now that I reconsider, I
think it's Thai, not Vietnamese. Something about an Orchid.

--
Siobhan Perricone
The actions taken by the New Hampshire Episcopalians are an affront to
Christians everywhere. I am just thankful that the church's founder, Henry
VIII, and his wife Catherine of Aragon, his wife Anne Boleyn, his wife Jane
Seymour, his wife Anne of Cleves, his wife Catherine Howard and his wife
Catherine Parr are no longer here to suffer through this assault on our
"traditional Christian marriage."
- Owen Keavney

>>Siobhan Perricone wrote:
>
>I was thinking there was one in Montpelier, but now that I reconsider, I
>think it's Thai, not Vietnamese. Something about an Orchid.

Yup.... mauve FM shoes!


---= BOYCOTT FRENCH--GERMAN (belgium) =---
---= Move UNITED NATIONS To Paris =---
Sheldon
````````````
"Life would be devoid of all meaning were it without tribulation."

Siobhan Perricone > writes:
> I've not been to River Run yet, though I'm willing to bet Finkerman's is
> not as good, but it's also not as expensive as River Run. Finkerman's is
> also larger, with fewer scary-looking teens hanging out in front and lots
> of tables in front of windows with a nice view of the river and some woods
> across the river.

Well, I'll have to try it the next time in in Montpelier. Thanks for
the heads up.


--
Richard W Kaszeta

http://www.kaszeta.org/rich

Geesum crow! BBQ has come to our capital! I too have been staving for BBQ.
Not since Porky's on Shelburne Road in So. Burlington in the mid 90's have I
heard anyone even breach the subject. Well the times they are a changing!
A Republican governor and BBQ! Life is good!
_Fred
"Richard Kaszeta" > wrote in message
...
> Siobhan Perricone > writes:
> > I've not been to River Run yet, though I'm willing to bet Finkerman's is
> > not as good, but it's also not as expensive as River Run. Finkerman's
is
> > also larger, with fewer scary-looking teens hanging out in front and
lots
> > of tables in front of windows with a nice view of the river and some
woods
> > across the river.
>
> Well, I'll have to try it the next time in in Montpelier. Thanks for
> the heads up.
>
>
> --
> Richard W Kaszeta
>
> http://www.kaszeta.org/rich

"Siobhan Perricone" > wrote in message
...
> Getting good BBQ in Vermont is a challenge. There just aren't many places,
> and most of them are not where I am (central Vermont).
>
> Friday that changed (though I didn't find out it changed until today). A
> new place called Finkerman's Bar-B-Q opened on Friday night.
>

<snipped a great review>

Siobhan, did you glean from the place that they cooked over wood? That's
the key to good Q.

Jack Q

"Frederick Pileggi" > wrote in message
...
> Geesum crow! BBQ has come to our capital! I too have been staving for
BBQ.
> Not since Porky's on Shelburne Road in So. Burlington in the mid 90's have
I
> heard anyone even breach the subject. Well the times they are a changing!
> A Republican governor and BBQ! Life is good!
> _Fred


If you like republican governors so much, why don't you head south and
liberate us swamp yankees from John Rowland!

Jack Out

"Siobhan Perricone" > wrote in message
...
> Getting good BBQ in Vermont is a challenge. There just aren't many places,
> and most of them are not where I am (central Vermont).
>
> Friday that changed (though I didn't find out it changed until today). A
> new place called Finkerman's Bar-B-Q opened on Friday night.
>
<snip>

IIRC, you don't like Brattleboro, and it's not in central VT, but have you
tried the barbeque place there? I can't remember the name but it's closer
to SIT than to downtown and is closed during winter. I'm just wondering how
they would compare. My friends from South (and North) Carolina thought the
Brattleboro one was fine when the craving hit, though was still not quite
real barbeque. (The owners, btw, are SIT alumni--alumnus? I can never
remember which is plural.)

rona
--
"Do not meddle in the affairs of cats, for they are subtle and they will
**** upon your computer."
--Bruce Graham

Siobhan Perricone wrote:
>
> Getting good BBQ in Vermont is a challenge. There just aren't many places,
> and most of them are not where I am (central Vermont).
>
> Friday that changed (though I didn't find out it changed until today). A
> new place called Finkerman's Bar-B-Q opened on Friday night.
>
> We were driving to the drug store when we saw the sign (we'd heard a place
> was supposed to start construction in December, but we'd not heard anything
> since). We drove back and took a look after getting our shopping done, and
> sure enough, it was OPEN. I was so excited. We went in and had dinner.
>
> We both had combo plates ($11.95), pulled pork and spareribs, cornbread,
> and a choice of two sides (we both had hushpuppies, I had Vermont cheddar
> mac and cheese and he had jalapeno cheese grits).
>
> This was not the best BBQ I've ever had, but it IS the best BBQ I've had in
> Vermont. The pulled pork was really good. Tender, delicious, great mouth
> feel, not too saucy, and the sauce was not too sweet. They had spicy sauce
> on the table to add. The spareribs were meaty and cooked well, though not
> as tender as I've had elsewhere, I'm willing to bet that's more them
> getting used to the volume they need to produce, and how long it takes to
> smoke that amount.
>
> If we'd ordered an appetizer or salad (as we usually do), we'd have been
> stuffed. As it was, we each could have happily eaten a couple more
> spareribs but we didn't leave feeling hungry, just like we'd have enjoyed
> some more but it's probably good we didn't get it.
>
> The grits were great, and they add something to their hushpuppies that
> makes their flavour just burst (definately the best hushpuppies I've had
> outside of my own kitchen in at least eight years, possibly longer), and I
> need to figure out their secret ingredient (preferably by eating many more
> of them). It was very subtle. I'm thinking it's cayenne but I could be
> wrong.
>
> The mac and cheese needed to either be made with more cheddar, sharper
> cheddar, or have some spices and/or onions added to it, but as it is, it'd
> be suitable for kids who aren't too fond of spicy stuff. The grits were
> just wonderful (we bought a container of them to bring home, along with a
> pound of the pulled pork).
>
> The cornbread was competent. Not too dry, not sweet, had good flavour,
> perhaps I should have taken a bite of it before I bit into the hushpuppies
> 'cos I didn't go "wow" with the cornbread like I did the hushpuppies.
>
> They have a nice array of sides to choose from, and many vegetarian options
> (including a marinated tempeh, and vegetarian black beans). They offer a
> "blue plate special" with four sides and cornbread or biscuits for $8.25
>
> They have bulk take-out, and everything on their regular menu is available
> for take-out. I've already added them to the cell phone speed dial.
>
> They have a variety of sandwiches, interesting salads, chicken and
> andouille gumbo, and stuff from the grill, as well.
>
> All in all I'm massively pleased. This may not be as good as some of you
> pit-meisters can pull yourself, and it's not as good as what you can get in
> the south, but for Vermont, this is damn good BBQ, and I'm gonna be going
> there a lot! Next time I'll try the biscuits, and maybe the bourbon pecan
> pie (though I'll have to walk an extra half hour afterwards, it'll be worth
> it!).
>
> So if you're wandering through the central Vermont area and lookin' for
> some good food to stick to yer gut, give Finkerman's Bar-B-Q a try.
>
> They're located at 186 River Street in Monpelier (call for directions, it's
> tucked away by the river behind some other buildings), 802-229-2995.

Hi Siobhan.
Thanks for posting this. I may be in Vermont this fall
or next fall. I will definitely look this place up.
Those hushpuppies sound awesome. They don't also have
catfish, do they. That's what I usually eat hushpuppies
with. Do they have greens? I can live without the
mac n cheese, but the grits sound good.
Kate

--
Kate Connally
“If I were as old as I feel, I’d be dead already.”
Goldfish: “The wholesome snack that smiles back,
Until you bite their heads off.”
What if the hokey pokey really *is* what it's all about?

"Rona Yuthasastrakosol" > writes:
> IIRC, you don't like Brattleboro, and it's not in central VT, but have you
> tried the barbeque place there? I can't remember the name but it's closer
> to SIT than to downtown and is closed during winter. I'm just wondering how
> they would compare. My friends from South (and North) Carolina thought the
> Brattleboro one was fine when the craving hit, though was still not quite
> real barbeque. (The owners, btw, are SIT alumni--alumnus? I can never
> remember which is plural.)

I'm fairly familiar with Brattleboro and can't place a BBQ place.
There is Curtis's BBQ up in Putney, but that never did much for me.

--
Richard W Kaszeta

http://www.kaszeta.org/rich

"Richard Kaszeta" > wrote in message
...
>
> I'm fairly familiar with Brattleboro and can't place a BBQ place.
> There is Curtis's BBQ up in Putney, but that never did much for me.
>
> --
> Richard W Kaszeta
>
> http://www.kaszeta.org/rich

If you drive from SIT (near the roundabout, Pizza Hut, Dunkin Donuts) to the
downtown area, it's on the right-hand side--past Hannafords and just a
little past Enterprise Rent-A-Car. It looks sort of like a couple of
run-down shacks (the wood is weathered, to say the least). It's maybe only
a two minute drive from Hannafords.

BTW, aside from the diner (can't remember the name--not Putney Diner but the
one just outside Brattleboro--they do Mexican two or three nights a
week--good stuff!) I didn't find there to be very many good restaurants in
Brattleboro. Amy's makes excellent chicken salad sandwiches and there's is
an Indian restaurant in a hotel (going to Putney from Brattleboro it's on
the left-hand side) that is very good if you order off the menu (their
buffet is less than desirable). The Thai place isn't even Thai (they're
Laotian), the Korean place is odd (the Korean food is not bad, but their
sushi, Japanese food, and Chinese food is...not so good), Panda had horrible
Chinese food, and where else is there? I even went to Max's once and did
not find it to be that great. It could have been what I ordered (pasta with
duck ragu--it was very salty and greasy), but I thought it was over-rated.
Oh, there was a good Lebanese place that we used to get falafel from--they
also sold their wraps at the coffee shop on campus. Living in that area,
though, I was lucky to at least have the choices I did! My sister lives in
Jaffrey and that really is a wasteland!

rona
--
"Do not meddle in the affairs of cats, for they are subtle and they will
**** upon your computer."
--Bruce Graham

Rona Yuthasastrakosol wrote:
> (The owners, btw, are SIT alumni--alumnus? I can never
> remember which is plural.)

"alumnus" (male singular), "alumni" (male plural), "alumna" (female
singular) and "alumnae" (female plural)

Kate

--
Kate Connally
“If I were as old as I feel, I’d be dead already.”
Goldfish: “The wholesome snack that smiles back,
Until you bite their heads off.”
What if the hokey pokey really *is* what it's all about?

It's called "Royal Orchid" and it's one of the best Thai restaurants that I've ever been to (including San Francisco). It's 100% authentic and the lunch prices are unbelievable ($5.25 to $6.25)!!!

On Sun, 3 Jul 2005 19:10:14 +0000, az2vt wrote:

> It's called "Royal Orchid" and it's one of the best Thai restaurants
> that I've ever been to (including San Francisco). It's 100% authentic
> and the lunch prices are unbelievable ($5.25 to $6.25)!!!

FYI: San Francisco doesn't claim a lock on good Thai food.

On Sun, 3 Jul 2005 19:10:14 +0000, az2vt >
wrote:

>It's called "Royal Orchid" and it's one of the best Thai restaurants
>that I've ever been to (including San Francisco). It's 100% authentic
>and the lunch prices are unbelievable ($5.25 to $6.25)!!!

One of my coworkers just ate lunch there a couple of weeks ago and ordered
something like a barbeque chicken breast. He said it wasn't any different
than something he'd get by grilling his own piece of chicken at home and
dumping some sauce on it then serving it with some rice. He was very
disappointed. He did admit that it seemed like on of the less "Thai" dishes
on the menu and maybe that's why it wasn't particularly good.

--
Siobhan Perricone
"You know, I used to think it was awful that life was so unfair; then I
thought, 'Wouldn't it be much worse if life *were* fair, and all the
terrible things that happened to us come because we actually deserved
them?' So now I take great comfort in the general hostility and
unfairness of the universe."
- Marcus, Babylon 5, "A Late Delivery from Avalon"

On Tue, 05 Jul 2005 01:21:09 -0000, Bubbabob wrote:

> sf > wrote:
>
> > FYI: San Francisco doesn't claim a lock on good Thai food.
> >
> I've noticed that. Even Orange county has better Thai than San Francisco.
> Lots better. It's the one (and only) major Asian cuisine that SF has always
> lagged in.
>
There are many cuisines that aren't represented well here. Thai
didn't take hold here - it was a fad for a while and now we're down to
the few that lasted. Our Asian restaurants are mainly Chinese and
Japanese. We have a big Filipino community and lots of
Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders... who support the Chinese and Japanese
restaurants. IMO: Hawaiian bbq is over taking Thai food in popularity
now.

> I've also noticed that SF's Ethiopian restaurants are about 3 orders of
> magnitude below those in the East Bay. They're also about 3 times as
> expensive. I wonder why. Probably because Ethiopian immigrants can't afford
> to live in SF.

Not a big surprise. Business is brutal here! As you said, there
isn't a big Ethiopian community in the City, plus you need to factor
in rent, (living) wages and all the other requirements such as
accessibility issues... not just for customers, but for workers as
well.

On Wed, 06 Jul 2005 06:09:02 -0000, Bubbabob wrote:

> I haven't had any good Filipino food since the last time I was out there,
> too many years ago.

It's best as home cooking, which I guess you already know.