Phantom Gourmet BBQ Beach Party

On Saturday afternoon, I met-up with my Dad, brother, sister-in-law and nephew at City Hall, Boston to check out the Phantom Gourmet's BBQ Beach Party. In theory, it was a great idea; and we thought it would be a day of circulating the wagons, tasting our nation's award winning BBQ and picking our own blue ribbon winner. You know, all-American pulled pork, ribs, & chicken smothered with a secret sauce, served-up along side corn on the cob, potato salad and good 'ol baked beans.

We were a tad disgruntled to find that it was very commercial feeling (large brands), the lines were soo long - my brother waited over 2 hours (not kidding) in one line - and it was not at all a "tasting", but rather more like an unprecedented wait time in a concession stand line. The BBQ we tasted was pretty good, though served cold and not worth the wait IMO. My dad and I had a mixed platter from Jack's Down Home Barbecue, and found the sauce to be a tad too tangy; and my bro, sis, and nephew had ribs and pulled pork & chicken from Cowboys Barbecue & Rib Co topped with a very tasty spicy sauce, and was boasted the best BBQ there by the aficionados (hence the line that wrapped around the courtyard a couple times!).

It's too bad, as I love the Phantom Gourmet and I really expected a different experience. Will I go back? Nope. But, I did have a fabulous time catching up with the family on a beautiful summer afternoon, and I will continue to search for the best BBQ around.