The Normal — Restaurant in Town of Lima

Last evening was the second time I have been to The Normal. After a missed photo op at my first visit, I had every intention of taking a picture of the components of our dinner prior to delving into it, but I was overtaken by feral instincts as soon as my Cornell Chicken was placed in front of me and the aroma hit my nose: all hope was lost for that photo. The food at both visit (Cornell Chicken, Chicken Wings, Brisket Sandwich, cole slaw, Mac and cheese, German potato salad) was better than expected, the meat was full of flavor without drowning in sauce, and was perfectly tender and juicy. Of everything sampled, I suggest it all! The concept is pretty neat too if you’re dining in- you take an open table, scan the QR code and order from your phone and have your food brought out! Great if you’re not in a chatty mood :) They’re quick too so if you don’t have a ton of time and want to dine in, you can get a great meal fast! Staff was attentive to any needs that arose and turned tables around quickly. There is also an extensive beverage menu! We didn’t dabble in the adult beverage options this time but after really looking at the offerings we will be back soon to give some of...

Our group of 6 had a wonderful experience last night for dinner. My wife and I had a full rack of their St. Louis pork ribs smothered in lingonberry BBQ sauce. The meat was perfectly cooked with a soft pull apart tenderness that left a clean bone. The sauce was great; if you like lightly sweetened lingonberries, you're going to love this. We also had an order of smoked cauliflower which was new to us. It was tasty and novel, almost like a meaty veggie. We also had pit beans and potato salad. All yummy and way too much so we brought a bunch of it home. So A+ on the food. Other highlights include friendly service (it wasn't busy so we had engaging conversations with the manager/server/host? - wish I had asked more about her role); overall aesthetic (nice old converted building with brick walls and high tin ceiling) and design theme (LOVE the 20th sci-fi comic book look); ordering simplicity (via QR code and Toast app, though it took our older friends a moment to figure it out); and beer choices (including Surly, from Minneapolis (we've visited their brewery - it's big and fun)). Great location with easy parking. Excellent experience all around. Highly...

Wow! The BEST BBQ I've had...ever.

I've eaten BBQ all over the country (including TX pit BBQ among others) and certainly at some of our local long-standing establishments in Rochester, but they are in little league compared to this one-of-a-kind home run.

The brisket has all the flavors of smoke, and seasoning and beef, nothing overpowers the other. It's sublty perfect in flavor and incredibly tender.

The pulled pork is legit. It's not overseasoned or oversauced. It's slightly sweet and very tender. Some of the other pulled pork BBQ joints serve a messy pile of meat with greasy liquids running all over and either it too cold or too dry or too wet and just not good. The Normal has this well under control.

The sausage, well...don't be intimidated by the size...it's the flavor that counts!

Don't forget the pickles or the cauliflower. I had both and am thankful I did. While some may argue BBQ is all you need in your life for a meat meal...I would push back and suggest that they haven't really lived yet. Try both, you won't regret it.

I wish I had more room to taste some of the other treats on the menu...I'll just have to go...