Holy Smokehouse, Batman! 322 BBQ Blew My Mind (and Tastebuds)
Y'all, I just gotta tell you about this hidden gem I stumbled upon called 322 BBQ. Let me tell you, it ain't just some casual barbecue joint – it's a full-blown, smoke-infused symphony for your senses.
The Pitmaster's Playground:
Walking in, the aroma of hickory and slow-cooked goodness hits you like a warm Texas hug. The whole place is buzzing with happy chowing down, and the open kitchen lets you peek at the meaty magic happening behind the scenes. I'm talking glistening racks of ribs, brisket so tender it practically whispers "eat me," and pulled pork that falls apart in a glorious, saucy embrace.
From Smoke to Mouthwatering Glory:
I dove headfirst into the brisket. Let me tell you, this wasn't your average backyard brisket. This was a masterpiece – a concerto of smoky char, melt-in-your-mouth tenderness, and a bark that crackled like a campfire symphony. Each bite was an explosion of juicy, beefy goodness, and the perfect canvas for their house-made BBQ sauces. Speaking of sauces, they have a whole symphony of them! From the sweet and tangy Carolina to the fiery Texas Heat, there's a flavor to tantalize every taste bud.
Sides that Steal the Show:
But the show doesn't stop at the main act. The sides at 322 BBQ are like the award-winning opening band that warms up your soul before the headliner. The mac and cheese is a creamy, cheesy dream, studded with melty chunks of cheddar and a hint of spice. The collard greens are smoky and savory, with a touch of sweetness that had me humming Dixie in my head (don't judge). And the cornbread? Oh, the cornbread! Dense, moist, and studded with kernels of sweet corn, it's the perfect dunkin' platform for any leftover sauce.
Sweet Endings and Happy Bellies:
No BBQ feast is complete without dessert, and 322 BBQ doesn't disappoint. Their pecan pie is like a sticky, gooey hug on a plate, with a buttery crust and a filling that's packed with crunchy pecans and sweet, caramelized goodness. It's the perfect way to end a smoky symphony of a meal.
The Final Verdict:
322 BBQ isn't just a restaurant; it's an experience. It's a place where the pitmaster's passion infuses every bite, and the friendly staff makes you feel like family. It's where smoke meets soul, and taste buds do a happy dance. So, if you're looking for BBQ that'll leave you singing its praises long after your last bite, look no further than 322 BBQ. It's a guaranteed 5-star experience, and I can't wait to go back for another round!
Pro Tip: Don't forget to check out their butcher shop next door – it's a meat lover's paradise!
I hope this review does justice to the smoky goodness that is 322 BBQ. Feel free to add your own personal touches and favorite dishes to make it even more...
Read moreWe have eaten here twice. Once for breakfast which was AMAZING! The food was great, very attentive staff, great atmosphere, overall great experience! Couldn’t say enough about the experience so we tried it again for dinner with their bbq menu…. Worst experience of my life!!! We received our drinks after our food 30 mins after being seated (there was like 3 other tables) and the drinks were absolutely terrible we sent them back after one sip. The manager said our waiter/ the bartender was new and I could tell he was trying but not one other employee offered to help him the staff was so cold and disconnected and the poor guy looked lost. My daughter ordered the D&S burger which was like a child’s burger and it came without all the fixings such as bacon and no sides. For the price it was unacceptable! My 8 yr old ate it all in 5 mins. The manager admitted it should have been bigger but did nothing to fix it. My husband ordered the 3 meats- the meat was cold, dry and some things inedible such as the bacon which was hard as a rock and cold. He was only given 3 meat options and was unaware that he could have chose his meats so the manager did bring him some ribs which he nuked due to our cold food complaint where you couldn’t even touch them they were so hot and dry and extremely overcooked. I ordered the big mama burger which came out as the plate that I immediately sent back. The plate was small with barely anything on it I don’t know how that was a $70 meal! Highly recommend do not order that!!!! We upgraded one side to the Brussels sprouts which was so terrible we spit it out! The onion strings were cold and the manager said they come cold. It was just crumbled cornstarch batter, gross. The Appetizer came out with the meals and it was cold, the eggroll, and came with no sauce. Out of the 4 meals ordered the only one that was good and edible was the bacon and cheese fries which were hot and delicious. The side Mac and cheese was good for 1 of us the other 2 were cold and dry. So extremely disappointed as we were so excited to try this after our first amazing breakfast experience! 10 out of 10 do not recommend! We spent over $150 on trash and the only thing the manager did to fix this is give us 4 old donuts to go. Unbelievably...
Read moreI have ordered out a couple of times from 322BBQ. Cuban sandwiches are by far the best in Wilmington. Sweet and smoky flavor from pork and ham combined with delicious swiss cheese and what looks like "foot" long pickle (sliced that way) makes this sandwich a must to order. One can literally sit down and casually inhale the whole thing in a few bites. But, it's better to enjoy slowly, bite at the time to savor the experience. The burgers are pretty excellent also. We had All American and the brisket cheddar burger. I must say, I have never had the combination of meats that literally makes the taste of meat pop out alone. Just speaks of quality meat and great seasoning. By the way it is easy to split those sandwiches between two people and come way feeling satisfied. Maybe share a medium side. Donuts are excellent. We tried chocolate glazed topped with bacon. Unholy experience, truly. Excellent dough and glaze.
Now for some criticism. I am not sure the truffled cauliflower gratin works for me. It's bland. The texture is nice, but I think your cheese selection is not quite right. It needs tweaking. Maybe a hint of cloves and garlic? It looks like it's a mild cheese in the sauce. Needs to be kicked up a bit. The coleslaw was disappointing, sorry. A bit more sugar and vinegar could help. Could not figure out the mayonnaise part? It seems non-protein based. Or maybe just a very small amount to begin with. Finally, the brisket burrito. We thought that the brisket was outstanding, by itself. It was the cheese and a glaze of BBQ sauce on top of the burrito that completely swapped out the taste of the brisket thus making it difficult to appreciate the entire preparation. Let me put it this way. The burrito sandwich did not induce this author to continue with consumption of the remaining meal after a few bites. It just didn't work...
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