Mr. RBI and I went to Surf BBQ last night. We hadn’t realized that they’d opened just last Thursday, but obviously, the word was out because even though it was a Monday, we were surprised – shocked, actually – to find the joint jumpin’.
It’s a cafeteria-style set-up, and there was a fair-sized line to get food though we were told by staff members not anywhere close to the out-the-door lines this past weekend.
We shared the following: spare ribs, baked beans, creamy coleslaw, pickles, cornbread, and Key Lime pie. The ribs were delicious – meaty and moist with a very tasty rub. The baked beans were unlike any we’ve had before as they were mixed with a copious amount of shredded meat (not sure if it was beef or pork). I liked the slaw but would have preferred a bit more mayo. The pickles were crunchy. The cornbread was outstanding! The Key Lime pie had a nice Graham cracker crust and a puckery filling.
We did think getting the food could have been speedier if the same line didn’t accommodate both those eating in and those doing take-out. When we mentioned this to the two managers on our way out – both were extremely friendly (as is the entire staff) and very interested in feedback – they told us that they will soon be opening a separate take-out window. I should also mention that those of us on line were offered tastes of the short rib. And when there was a delay after our ribs were cut in getting our sides, the young man behind the counter gave us a taste of the brisket. Nice touches!
Surf BBQ’s food is, in my opinion, far superior to what we had the one time we went to Local Smoke, in Neptune (which, as many of you know, is opening a second location in Red Bank). We’re already plotting what we’re going to order the next time we go to Surf.
) and the Mexican corn.
