The Big Joe (burger that is)

There’s a place in Aruba called Smokey Joe’s. It’s a rib shack with outdoor seating, paper towels on the table, and metal cans for the bones. In other words, a place I appreciate when the need for cholesterol ingestion arrises. Well, they came up with “The Big Joe.” The verbal description is something like this: a cheeseburger topped with pulled pork, cole slaw, lettuce, tomato, onion, and the rest. Here’s the visual vertical profile:

That’s a stack of fill-you-up if ever there was one. Just in case, it comes with fries. I have to say, that pork on top was most delicious and the tangy barbecue flavor contrasted well with the cole slaw, too. The burger underneath is charbroiled and satisfying on that most basic level. In other words, after one of these, you’re good to go so long as you have a cardiologist on standby. Be sure to wait an hour before going swimming after you eat this.

Bon dia.

Published in: on August 27, 2010 at 11:51 am  Leave a Comment  
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Young Fellow BBQ, Aruba

Young Fellow is the name of a roadside joint here in Aruba. They serve up a nice Sunday BBQ lunch that you may want to try. First, the place is located on the main highway, south of the airport. Just drive from the hotel area and keep going until you see the sign. Now let’s take a look at the video of the Sunday BBQ.

So, for the current price (subject to change) of 13 florins ($7 US+/-) you get 1/4 chicken, tons of white rice, 1/4 rack of ribs, mashed potatoes, baked beans, and some corn on the cob. That’s a good deal. Fish is also on offer if you would prefer it. They have ice-cold beer and Coca-Cola, too. Plus there’s the pool table and such to relax and have a good time before or after your meal. This place will be hosting the band DataPanik soon as part of the Route to the Rum Shops.

I enjoy these local joints. The people are friendly ,the food filling, and the experience authentic. Give it a try. You might like it.

Published in: on March 16, 2009 at 4:29 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Great Rich, Sunday BBQ, photos

The Great Rich Bar and Restaurant is located in Paradera, Aruba. This is what you would call a local joint. On Sundays they offer a BBQ of smoked ribs, chicken, rice, coleslaw, and corn on the cob. Here’s how it works. You skip breakfast so that you’re good and hungry. Then you pull in and park at the Great Rich, shown below.

greatr1aYou go inside where you tell the nice lady behind the bar that you would like the Sunday BBQ. You pay her and get a ticket like the one in the photo here.

greatr2This ticket you take outside, past the smokers which are doing a great job of cooking up those chickens and ribs as you can see here.

greatr3

The guys working the chow line speak Papiamento and Chinese, but not much Spanish. However, a few smiles, some hand gestures, and you’re good to go.

greatr4That guy there swings a Chinese cleaver the way Paul Bunyan swung and ax. He whacks a rack of ribs into three parts, a half chicken into four more and then puts them atop a pile of fried rice and cole slaw. A small piece of corn on the cob is added for color and good effect. At this point, most people tote their meal home for a feast. I prefer to dine at such establishments as the characters who appear are nothing short of incredible. Thus, I trot back into the bar, ask for utensils, and proceed to mow down everything you see here.

greatr5That’s right, all that food (1/2 a chicken, rack of ribs, about 3 cups of fried rice, 1/2 cup cole slaw and corn on the cob) cost 15 florins, call it an eight and a half dollar bill. Beverages are extra. I enjoy this kind of meal once in a while, especially in this setting. No franchise uniforms, no pre-programmed patter from the staff, no flavorless items found the world over. You’ll see various BBQ’s like this around Aruba, but each one is different. Give one a try; your heart surgeon will love you for it!

Bon dia from Aruba.

Published in: on February 16, 2009 at 10:53 am  Leave a Comment  
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Smokey Joe’s, Aruba

Many people on the Aruba Message Boards talk about Smokey Joe’s, a restaurant along a promenade that faces the high-rise hotels. I had never been there, until the other night that is. I heard so much about the ribs that I had to go try them. First, here’s a look at the place.

My wife and I went early as I like to avoid crowds as much as possible. We were seated immediately and our waiter did a good job. We both ordered the “original” ribs with the regular sides. Here’s a look at the plate that came to our table.

Sorry about the lousy photo. I think the blue table affected the camera’s systems. Anway, those ribs were rather meaty. The original style is more smoke than barbecue. Flavor was fair on my scale of ribs. (Of course the all time best ribs I’ve ever had were at the Feed Store Barbecue near Dallas, Texas, USA. Nothing has ever come close but that’s a VERY high standard.) Back to Aruba and Smokey Joe’s.

Well, we mowed down these racks to great effect. I was tremendously full, almost so much that the obligatory post-dinner Coca-Cola was nearly canceled. NEVER! I just waited an extra hour before downing the beloved elixir. As for the ribs, like I said, they were fair, but nothing amazing, nothing to change the current ranking of artery-plugging rib joints on my tally.

The atmosphere here, as you can tell from the photos, is casual and comfortable. I like the roll of paper towels on the table to stay clean and the giant coffee can for bones is also quite handy. This place is not a must stop by any stretch but if you need to fill a hunger hole, it will do the job.

Published in: on August 11, 2008 at 12:19 pm  Leave a Comment  
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