Near that outdoor store in Scarborough.

So, we zoomed down to the new Marden's.

Then we went to Cabella's to return something we bought in – hold on – December 2009.  Okay, so we're slow.

But they gave us credit.

Then, hungry as always, we figured we'd try the BBQ joint right there in the compound.

So.
First, keep in mind that Dave's a chain, and chains are rather formula-bound.  That said, our experience was decidedly a cut above any formula.

We were greeted promptly, and our request for a booth was immediately honored.  In fact, when my wife asked to be placed in a different booth because the lighting was low where we were, the waitress scooped everything up and whisked us right to a new booth.  Not too shabby.

Since I was driving, my beverage was the sweetened ice tea.  Sweetened Ice Tea in Maine?  I thought, you've got to be kidding me, but "pop" there it was, and, it was rather decent.

My wife indulged in the regular Margarita, on the rocks, with salt.  It came in a large globe and trust me, it tasted yummy and kicked like a mule.

I ordered a half-rack of the "award winning ribs", my wife, who spent a great deal of her early adulthood in San Antonio, Texas, went straight for the brisket.

And the results are....

I once again proved to myself that dry ribs are not what I really enjoy.  However, they were flavorful, done to perfection and, with the application of some of the many types of sauce that is provided at the table, were a real treat.  Even better, when I re-heated the leftovers the next day, they tasted even better.
The Brisket almost brought my wife to tears.  All she kept saying was "delicious.  Oh, my goodness, this is so good.  Oh, delicious."  So, I guess she liked them, and it looks as if they compared quite favorably to what you can get in the heart of BBQ land.

The sides were a mixed bag - although none were bad.  The beans were very tasty.  The coleslaw was coleslaw.  The potato salad was great.  The string beans very tasty.  The cornbread comes as a muffin and was both moist and tasty.  So, all in all, a good meal.

Service was fine.  My tea was refilled, as was the water and our server stopped-by three times.  Now, how many times can you expect someone to ask if your ribs are okay?

Time constraints  prevented coffee and dessert, but they sure looked good.

Next time.  Meantime give Dave's a try.  You might just like the experience.

Ciao.

Return to my hometown

Got got back from a trip back home to New Yawk (as we say).  It was, as always a great fun-filled time.  For those of you who have never driven there, or haven't in a while, let me give you some advice.

1)  Arrive in the City either around 7:30 AM, or 12:30 PM.  Why?  Because most alternate-side of the street parking makes the shift to the other side around 8:00 AM, or 1:00 PM, and you want to be in position to move into a safe spot.
2)  Always go straight to the Upper West Side – for at least three reasons:
1-  less crime and most streets (especially west of Broadway) have a 1:00 PM side change, AND the change is usually good for at least two days;
2-  there are at least two decent, low cost hotels up there – the Hotel Alexandra @ W. 94th, and the Hotel 99 @ Broadway & 99th Street.
3)  There are scads of very good eateries that don't charge two arms and three legs for the meal.