It’s Nacho Average BBQ Joint

We spent a work birthday lunch at Lockhart’s BBQ. I know I post a lot about my “work lunches”. Don’t judge, or be jealous, I work for a great place that celebrates everyone’s achievements, even if it is just the anniversary of being born.

Lockhart’s BBQ is typical of Royal Oak businesses with the industrial open ceilings, but has quaint wood tables, just the right amount of required neon and relaxed, comfortable atmosphere.

They always have a plethora of on-tap beers. Local breweries as well as others.  We were discussing our love for the new Sanders bumpy cake beer, brewed by Old Nation Brewing Company, when lo and behold we see it on their extensive menu. They had about 10 beers I would have loved to try, and many more (IPA’s) I did not care to, but as it was a work day and my company isn’t THAT forgiving, I stuck with water.

I have had their BBQ in the past, and although it is pretty good, I still prefer Clarkston Woodshop. Lockhart’s is nice for its location, and food is ok, but if I need to pursue amazing BBQ I head to Clarkston.  I do like Lockhart’s serve pickled and spicy onions, peppers and of course pickles on the tables, which are good with a zing and a kick.  This day, I decided to try something different and order the Smoked Pork Nachos. They make their own chips by flash frying flour tortillas and top with smoked chopped pork, cheddar and monterey jack cheese, onions, tomatoes and jalapenos all drizzled with BBQ sauce. They had me until the BBQ sauce, which I ordered without. Good choice, although the nacho’s needed something as they were very dry. By ordering the sauce on the side, I was able to try a variety of their sauces that they have readily available on the tables, which include the vinegary Carolina Gold, the Sweet, blended with root beer and grapes, the Traditional with tangy molasses and the Fire on the Red, cranked up with cayenne, chipotle and habanero.  The “flash fried” chips, when you use the flour tortillas just seem to have a powdery, dry flavor. Although crisp and light, they lacked that corny goodness you get with a real corn tortilla chip. I actually enjoyed the BBQ sauce on the nachos. I didn’t think I would, but it worked.

I would definitely go to Lockhart’s again, but I don’t think I would order the nachos. Not a fan of flour tortilla chips, and to me really brought the toppings down. Stick with the meat and the sides, order a tasty beer and tell them Jen & Omar sent you. They will have no idea who we are, but you will kind of feel like a big shot by saying it.

I Must Be a Coco-Nut?

I saw this beer while shopping the other day, and as the gloom of a Michigan winter was weighing heavy on my soul, I needed something to remind me of summer. To remind me of what sunshine felt like, the sweet smells of coconut sun lotion and the taste of a cool frozen cocktail by the pool.

Porter Rico beer is brewed by the Arcadia Brewing Company right here in our wonderful state of Michigan. I would like to say some poetic description of how the beer fuses the tastes of Cacao and Coconut into a liquid exotic tropical island adventure, but in reality to me, it was like a good chocolaty porter and coconut sun tan oil had a baby. A weird, disturbing baby.

I tried to like this beer but could get over the taste of what I can only imagine coconut sun tan oil tastes like. Yes, it did take me back to my wild impetuous youth, where we would coat ourselves in Hawaiian Tropic and lay out on a bed of aluminum foil, but even with the fond memories I just couldn’t love this beer.

I think you either like this beer, or don’t. I was one of the don’ters.  I did not meet anyone as of yet who has LOVED it, although my most likely inevitable son-in-law, Quinton liked it.

This beer has 5.5% alcohol by volume, and is brewed with real coconut, bittersweet malt and chocolate. It is one of Arcadia’s seasonal beers for 2017 so get it while you can. I say try it, you might like it. I however, am sad to say I won’t be buying again.