BARK BBQ — Restaurant in Plymouth

7/21/21

I had the opportunity of being put in touch with Kurt and Janice on a Thursday in June when our outing at the retreat we (me and a group of VERY hungry guys) were staying at had been cancelled and we were left to try and figure out what we could do that would involve very little vehicular travel (as we were basically out of luck in that department that day.) Bark had been suggested to us as a local business that had been started by an alum of the group we all are/were a part of. Once we found that out, we were all in on giving Bark a try - having heard nothing but glowing compliments about their barbecue.

Well, needless to say when I called in the order (consulting with both Kurt and Janice on quantities, etc.) we knew that we had hit the motherlode! I believe we ordered 6 trays of meats, all of the types that are on the tray portion of the menu. We ordered about 25 sides and went with jars of the sauces that Kurt and Janice suggested. Now, please remember this is/was a house full of VERY hungry men! Needless to say that when our order got back to the house, the aromas of the meats and sides filled our rather large dwelling with such a sweet, smoky, warm essence that (and usually, when we were getting together to eat, which was quite often; we would have to yell throughout the house that whatever meal it was was ready) we all gathered in the kitchen without being prompted to be there.

Men were basically drooling at what we had pooled our resources together to buy and had now made its way from Kurt’s smokers to our counter tops. It also was one of the top weather days of the month as well, so we were doubly blessed by that as well. To say we ate our fill is an understatement as the gratifying belches that filled the house for the next few hours (well days, actually, as we had LEFTOVERS for just that, days) were heard echoing down every hallway and common area.

To say that Kurt and Janice had led us to barbecue nirvana is not praise enough! Their recommendations as to choices and portions were on point. Their graciousness in what they did to make this event memorable was not and won’t be forgotten by all the guys (as well as staff that reaped the benefit of this feast as well) who were there on that Thursday, June afternoon.

Janice even took the time to call me back after a few hours to see what we had thought. I put my phone on speaker and said to her, what does she hear? She said nothing. I said exactly, as this house only sounds like this when we are either eating or in the food coma that accompanies a meal beyond compare. The house, which echoes so much that you could hear an ant cough from end to end was SILENT. Guys were still eating. And as I said, this was hours after we had initially received the order! I had promised to write a review to Janice as a thank you for just how amazing the food had been, but also,, how amazing she, Kurt and the staff at Bark had been. It is still mentioned as one of the best “outings” we have had! Janice, Kurt, and I’m pretty sure I don’t have to worry at all about this, but, continued success and as long as you make brisket that falls off the bone and can be cut by a fork, sausages, chickens, pork and ALL of the sides, including that house made corn bread, to the extraordinary quality that you made our “little picnic” to, y’all will be doing JUST fine! Again an understatement there as well! Our heartfelt thanks and 5 star recommendations to y’all for what you gave us is, as they say in those commercials, priceless!

All the...

FIRSTLY - Refused to give me water in a cup and then reprimanded and questioned me as to how its economically sustainable for the restaurant to give out free water (as if every other restaurant doesn’t give out free water)! I talked and responded in a calm tone but was not given back the same. It was one of those moments where you feel like a victim to someone’s bad day. It kills me when places don’t give out free water and instead encourage you to buy a $3 plastic water bottle. KILLS ME!

Onto the food though, the ribs - seasoned well, fell off the bone nicely, could use more smoke flavor!! I understand they’re most likely cooked in the oven and finished in smoke but I’d double the smoke time on them. But super texturally pleasant and elegant. Great with the sweeter bbq sauces

Brisket, first issue, was that I was not asked if I wanted flat or point. The small amount of fat in the flat was nicely rendered, I can only Imagine what the point tasted like!!! But the flat’s meat was quite dry unfortunately. I’d recommend wrapping in butchers paper (which id bet you already do) and then aluminum foil to really keep that moisture in. It was so close to perfect brisket. Just gotta find a way to keep that meat moister (maybe brine?) up to you!

As for the pulled pork, it was dry and lacking moisture as well. I’d recommend throwing some pork bone stock in there every once in a while to moisten it up! Mac n cheese was average, could tell it was carried over from the last day, noodles were over cooked and falling apart)

Highlight of the meal though - potato salad!!!!! Insanely good potato salad, great celery and red onion crunches. Nice Mayo base. I can imagine their coleslaw is just as good.

As for all the sauces on the side I loved the wide range of flavor they brought! The Carolina mop could use a little more balancing, and I’d recommend throwing an Asian influenced aromatic into that Korean bbq (thai long pepper or star anise?)

Lastly, a problem with most bbq places, the food isn’t served hot. Just flash it in the oven for your boy!

Overall, above average bbq, with a lot of room to make it...

I used to say my top two BBQ joints were out of state and we’d never get anything like that here. Tonight I added a third and was proven wrong and I’ve never been happier!!! My husband and I raced down to Plymouth after work in hopes of scoring some smoked treats. I have to mention I have celiac disease and it’s very hard to find an establishment caring enough to ensure I don’t get sick, everyone went above and beyond! My hubby and I had the two meat combo, brisket, ribs, potato salad, beans, collard greens, as well as Mac and cheese (for the hubby of course). The first thing I have to note, the flavor, my god I haven’t tasted a smoke that deep and decadent, and bark that crisp and full of flavor since my last trip to Tomball,TX well over 15 years ago. In our house we say a quiet dinner with a bit of upper body wiggle dancing in between bites is the sign of a solid meal! The sides were heavenly, I haven’t had good collards in a very long time, it brought back some great memories! Thank you guys for an absolutely amazing meal, experience and even more so, the genuine hospitality. We are so incredibly lucky to have you in our neck of the woods! Also odd thing to point out, but the sturdy napkins were an insanely nice touch that didn’t go unnoticed by this girl who only eats brisket...