Route 1 Adventures

C and I have been on Route 1 probably 100 times in the last few years...and always around a meal. We've tried to find edible options that either a) won't bust our waistline or b) don't include pole dancing and cover charge. It is a fast food haven - you've got your McD's, BK's, TB's and all the like. Nothing is generally appetizing for us...until Monday.

We nearly pulled off to go to the left (heading south) to Pizzeria Uno, giving into the pull of the quick service, chain restaurant. BUT, up ahead on the right, an indesript little joint (yes, joint) called Uncle Pete's BBQ glowed at us. We'll take it, and we swerved to the right to exit.

Upon entering, we found the obligatory red check tablecloth, the roll of papertowels on each table alongside a laminated menu showcasing several types of meat. Yum. I struggled with my order, giving into the server's suggestion of babyback ribs. C went for the pulled pork plate. DOUBLE the amount on the sandwich...because they can.

While the salad is to be skipped and the sweet potato roll I don't care for, the ribs were great. They were tender, with good smokey flavor and just the right amount of fat along the edges. I picked on several onion rings as a side, a mountainous order that would serve better as an appetizer, and I did wish I had ordered the baked beans or something to complement the ribs, but otherwise I enjoyed it.

C had the piled high pork with a side of mashed potatoes...the potatoes were definitely overcooked as you could taste the water in the mash. Sorta mealy and wet. The sauce that came with the pork was super sweet (more like an Asian barbeque sauce) but he ended up liking that in the end. I personally would have liked a more vinegar based sauce on the pork, more Carolina than Beijing. Strangely, everyone one except for the owner (Lou?) was of Asian descent - just a random observation after tasting the sauce.

Either way, if you're on Route 1 and hungry, don't be afraid to try Uncle Pete's!