April 16, 2010
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Smoky Jon’s #1 BBQ
My father-in-law took us out to dinner last night. He had a hankering for ribs, and he wanted to try out a place that he’d never been to before. Someone where he worked recommended Smoky Jon’s #1 BBQ, on Packers Avenue in Madison. Ken and I love ribs, so there were no objections.
I had not had ribs in about a year; I hadn’t had really good ribs in several years. This place has won a lot of awards for their ribs, so I was excited to check them out.
Technically, the little restaurant (the dining room had maybe a dozen tables) snagged my heart before I even saw the menu. It smelled wonderful in there, the décor was very rustic, and the music, playing at just the right volume, was ALL BLUES!
You order and pay for everything up front and then sit wherever you want. All of the red and white checkerboard clothed tables are for two; the three of us slid two tables together, following the cue of other diners. There is a roll of paper towels on each table. The waitress brought our dinners over on paper plates.
We each ordered a half-slab dinner: plenty of lip-smacking, falling-off-the-bone ribs, two sides (I went with a little veggie salad and American potato salad), and a roll with butter.
Just as I went to take my very first bite, Robert Johnson came on over the speakers, Kind-Hearted Woman Blues…
… And I had the most wonderful dinner! It was so perfect! The ribs were amazing. The salad, while pretty plain, was fresh and crisp, a nice, simple compliment to the meat. Their American potato salad was very much like my best friend, Jeanne’s potato salad, which means it ROCKED. We ate, we laughed, and we enjoyed the music.
Eric Clapton and B.B. King came on just when we were ready to leave… so we stayed a few more minutes and listened to Rock Me Baby. I smiled across the table at my father-in-law. “Thank you,” I said. “This was a really cool idea!”
Both of my guys agreed. We will definitely be going there again.
If you are ever in the Madison area, I highly recommend Smoky Jon’s #1 BBQ. Great food and great tunes to wash it down with!
Bring someone you love.
Comments (18)
Ribs~ I never seem to eat them often enough~ but it’s the atmosphere that makes them perfect.
You’re going to have me craving ribs now. A+ with the blues too. :0)
Yes, sounds like the perfect evening.
I’m jealous.
Love it…and I’d like to bring you!
A good friend and BBQ is tough to beat.
@Bricker59 - Me too! She had great BBQ and it wasn’t even in Texas! Now, how the heck am I gonna impress her when/if she ever visits??
I’m not big on ribs … but your description made me wanna drool. Sounds like a great time!
Great, now I am hungry…and I don’t even like ribs
…I know blasphemy…!
Flamin’ FF
OH wow made me wish I ate pork or red meat again. Toful barbq’d is just not the same. Judi
Now this sounds perfect . . . I need me some ribs and blues . . . .
@jacksoncroons - . . . and beer.
@jacksoncroons - That was the only thing weird about the place… no alcoholic beverages!
(I barely drink anymore, so it doesn’t bother me, but I have a couple of friends who would not be able to handle it! LOL)
Robert Johnson on the speakers?? Wow….that doesn’t happen every day! Of course….very few people even know who he is! I’m impressed, V!
Mmm, I could go for some good ribs.
Good food, good music and fine company baby! I’m there! Isn’t it wonderful when you fine a place that just calls out, “Welcome!” Have a super day, lovely Peeps! (pats heart and points to you)
Mmmm! Now I want lunch? Is that Madison WI?
Yum!
Thanks for the tip. See, I knew there was a place there that I’d like. It’s just that, each time I took the side-trip off the interstate, I’d always end up in a part of Madison I’d rather not visit again. And yet, I always knew there are a lot of cool folks in the area. Bless you.