This was another local spot that I’d never heard of before starting my research, and was happy to discover. Despite the unassuming name and storefront in a quiet part of town, this joint has been keeping locals well-fed and happy for the better part of the last 15 years.

Nothing trendy here – this place is old school all the way. Everyone who walks in receives a genuinely warm greeting from the cashier. Red and white checkerboard patters adorn the walls and there is no shortage of pig-themed decor. One wall is plastered with redeemed and signed punchcards – you get a free meal on every 7th visit (or less; you can get a double punch on Tuesdays!)

Reputation – 4.5

Strong ratings headlined by a 4.8 on Facebook. This seems like the kind of place that thrives on its local reputation, not so much as a destination for out-of-towners who are likely ushered towards big names like ZZQ or Buz and Ned’s.

A common theme in the reviews is the friendliness of the staff. I sometimes get a bit nervous walking into a place with a “locals only” sort of vibe, but felt immediately at ease upon being greeted by the incredibly sweet lady at the counter.

Experience – 5/5

I visited on a rainy afternoon and, as mentioned, was greeted like an old friend despite never having set foot in the place. Their prices are great – you can get a sandwich combo with two sides and drink for about $10. I chose hush puppies and cornbread muffins – great for the soul, though maybe not so much the heart.

There were a handful of other diners, and the nice cashier lady opened the door to their second dining room for me. I appreciated the solitude as, like I’ve mentioned in other reviews, I do feel a bit silly arranging and taking photos before eating. The food came out very quickly and I didn’t snap a ton of pics because I was really hungry. I can’t think of any little thing to nitpick as far as experience – this place just made me happy the whole time I was there.

Presentation – 4.5/5

Very straightforward. Black tray, white paper. The sandwich came fully wrapped. Sides were in side trays with little portion cups of butter. Not much to report.

Their sauce selection was good. Each table had VA and Carolina style sauces, with additional BBQ sauce bottles available nearby. I grabbed some spicy VA style sauce that was great. They also have a pretty large and diverse selection of hot sauces to choose from.

Quality and Taste – 7.7/10

The sandwich comes on a sesame seed bun and you’re given the choice of whether you want the slaw on it. The slaw was okay, pretty standard. The pork was very good but I probably wouldn’t call it great. It had plenty of flavor but was a bit lacking in moisture. I still scarfed it down of course.

Their sides were exceptional. I’d been turned on to the hush puppies after seeing a lot of posts devoted to them on the restaurant’s Instagram page and those did not disappoint. However, the corn bread muffins stole the show for me. They were small but perfectly warm, rich, and soft. Just absolute beauties.

Final Rating – 86.8

I love almost every BBQ place I visit, but this one especially gave me a pleasantly nostalgic feeling that’s hard to place. Maybe it evokes images of simpler times. I guess it just felt like the kind of authentic, friendly old American roadside BBQ place that just serves good food and makes people happy. Simple as that.