Archie's BBQ — Restaurant in Oakland

I was on a business trip to McHenry MD for the second time and wanted to try someplace new for dinner (other than the hotel restaurant). Archies was recommended, and after reading the reviews it was decided to have dinner there. I'm no food snob (and even though I cooked for a profesional chef, please don't call me "chef"), but this was the worst brisket and ribs I have ever ate (or even looked at). Let me be fair; the atmosphere is fun, the staff was polite, and service was quick (order at the counter and it's brought to the table. Fix your own drinks). The Old Bay Wings were unique and delicious, and then came the brisket and ribs. The brisket was a drab looking pile of sad meat. It was room temp, deli sliced from a machine, and BLAND! There was no taste, no flavor, no seasoning. There was no dry rub, or smoking. Not sure how (or when it was cooked ) but It didn't "fork fall apart" like a well slow cooked brisket should. Definately was from the "flat" or "first" cut which is less fatty than the "point"cut and less tasty. And lastly I have to question how old it was. This brisket was not fresh, there were stale dry bits that looked like they were found behind the slicing machine (I know, because I worked in a deli, and the cleaning up had to be meticulous, or you will get people sick 🤢). Now the ribs; half rack baby back. Cooked well, fall off the bone, and there it stops being good. Once again, bland! Just BBQ sauce. There was, or is no pre-cooking seasoning. No brining, or dry rub, and no smoking. Oven baked, covered in sauce and thrown under the broiler? Who knows? The side dishes are up; I fell for the offer of "Home Made" potato salad. Who's home? The nursing home? Not a single spice, herb, grain of salt or pepper in this concoction. No good. Move on to the corn bread and just quit trying at this point. Cold, flat, sticky, and oily. You don't get any butter, or jelly, not that it would've mattered. Passed on desert, so happy I don't have review that. In hind sight (or sniff 🤔) I should've known better for the lack of that distinct BBQ smoking aroma that you get outside a BBQ restaurant (or food truck, backyard pigroast, county fair...etc). I'll be back in McHenry next year, but not...

I really enjoyed my visit here. I"m on a road trip doing several states, driving scenic routes and stopping at museums and scenic stuff in the mountains. This place, simple as it is, has great food and very satisfying service. Not all my experiences in McHenry were so good, but I'm not going to mention the perps by name, but the reader should know that dinner at Archies was a lot of fun for a simple BBQ dinner.

I had the Pittsburgh (take that, little brother!) which was delicious and about as overflowing as the picture suggested. I had to sit in side for a few minutes looking over the menu, then decided what I wanted, and sides, and noticed there were plenty of seats (it was on the late side) so I took one of those plastic number things and headed out.

First, the woman at the counter (name unknown) was good at suggestions when I was pretty sure what I wanted but couldn't pick between 2 similar items - so she noted " well, the locals prefer..." so that's what I got. Trust the locals - that should be a rule somewhere.

I had the cornbread and Mac & Cheese, too, and a fountain soda and came away very satisfied. It went down well.

What isn't on the Google Maps is that adjacent to their parking lot is an ice cream place. I grew up in rural UpState NY were such things were common, and where I've been for a decade, now, the DC burbs, we have none. Zero anywhere driving distance from me and I'm 10 minutes from the beltway. So getting a hot fudge sundae was a treat i haven't had, and indulgence I suppose, in years, and I enjoyed it. All for a few dollars and a 50 ft walk.

The woman delivering the food to the tables was friendly and cheerful - this seems to be under-rated all too often. I like it. Nothing personal, but cheerful certainly beats dour. If I wanted that I'd go to the office ...ooops.

So head over to Archies. Save room for desert - the ice cream place is tiny but also friendly (it's just a big booth to order from and their own...

We were enjoying a weekend in the Deep Creek area and said to my buddy, what do you want for dinner? He said let’s find some wings. So I Googled who had the best wings in Deep Creek. A BBQ named Archie’s popped up so off we went. We arrived with plenty of outside seating but we wanted to set inside in case the pesky flies showed up. We were greeted by young high schoolers with enthusiasm about our order. I said this is our first time and needed to look at a menu. She sat us at a table and pointed to the menu. Small menu selection but for a BBQ, they had plenty to choose from. We came for wings so it didn’t take long to decide. My buddy and I decided and were told to place the order at the front counter. No server for regular service. We went to the counter and placed our wing order. For me, 12 wings 1/2 dry rub and 1/2 old bay. My buddy got plan with the typical blue Cheese and ranch dipping sauce. He ordered a side of Cole slaw ( little below average. My sides were fries and homemade potato salad. Better than most I have tasted. We return to our seats and waited about ten minutes when the wings arrived Now I have had many a wing before. These were hands down the best dang wings I have ever eaten. These were smoked, with a crispy crunch and very meat. Seasoned perfectly that you enjoyed the rub taste and old Bay seasonings. Yet chicken tasting galore! If you’re in the area, you have to stop for the wings. I will add they are expensive. $22.00 for a dozen but I enjoyed every...