Shane's Rib Shack
I have not visited the new Shane's Rib Shack on Waters Avenue, but I did visit the Statesboro location of the Georgia-based location recently. From humble beginnings, this franchise has expanded to 12 states. My sincere hope is that this means consistency -- 'cause there's nothing worse than bad barbecue. The Statesboro location did not disappoint. In fact, a culinary road trip to Statesboro is very rewarding -- with a nice selection of fine dining to casual places to explore. My chopped pork plate featured a monstrous pile of what is actually pulled pork -- counter help told me it is cooked on site and hand pulled from butts. This serving had a nice mix of meat, very little fat -- and only one grisly part. I tried the Carolina vinegar sauce and found it kind of flavorless -- especially when applied to the rich, tasty pork. The sweeter original sauce, a tomato-based style, had enough mojoof its own to add something to the pork. The portion was big enough to share; I couldn't finish the serving. Side dishes of nicely seasoned and tender collard greens and smokey baked beans were also large portions that brought a nice range of flavors to this man-sized meal. Crisp Texas toast accompanied. A colleague of mine loves the sampler platter, which offers 1/4-pound of pulled pork, a pair of barbecued chicken tenders and a quarter rack of ribs. "I can never eat it all," she says, "but it really gives me a taste of different stuff." Well said. Beverages are self service; orders are placed at the counter. The Savannah location is located, somewhat defiantly, next door to The Original Smoke Station BBQ on an out lot of the shopping center at Eisenhower Drive and Waters Avenue.
Shane's Rib Shack - Statesboro/1100 Brampton Ave, Suite J/912-681-4227
This and that...
Sugar Daddy's Wine and Food Bar has opened at 109 Jefferson St., just a half block south of Broughton Street.
The location has undergone a stunning transformation that is simultaneously elegant and inviting, yet casual and somewhat rustic. Brian Torres, formerly of Eos and of late Bonna Bella Yacht Club, is GM. I stopped in on day two and found a diverse little wine list with lots and lots of by-the-glass options and a clean, simple and tempting martini list. Food at Sugar Daddy's will be true small plates -- which makes it a perfect before and after dinner watering hole and grazing locale. I sampled a caprese plate, which was a just-right portion of fresh mozzarella, and scrumptiously acidic tomatoes layered with basil leaves and drizzled with balsamic. Expect the menu and wine list to grow over the next few weeks. Hours are Wednesday-Saturday 4:30 p.m.-2:30 a.m.; kitchen closes at midnight.
