[Virtual Geezer]

I stopped by Burke's this afternoon about 3:45 to give them a try. I was looking for one thing and that was ribs. When I got there they were out of a few other items such as pulled pork and were waiting for it from the kitchen (no time frame was given) but they did have what I came for. The one gentleman placed a nice rack on the cutting board and my first thought was "man I would love to give that entire rack a try" but I thought better of that. I am not sure they even sell it that way.

The rack had a nice baked on crust that took some time to prepare. They must have used a nice rub on the meat as it looked delicious. There was lot of meat and very little fat. Once cut you could see that the meat close to the bone was cooked well and ready to fall off the bone.

As others have mentioned in another thread the sauce is added later and there are a few options. I chose to try the sweet and the other spicy. To tell you the truth I could not taste any sweetness in the sauce but it was spicy (not HOT) and had an excellent flavor.

The meat fell off the bone and there was a lot of meat. A touch of fat but totally unnoticeable. I think it added a little flavor while in the smoker. I do like things spicy and this hit the spot right on.

Regarding the sauce I felt it could have been a little thicker. I think it could have rendered down just a bit but still excellent. I used a spoon and garlic bread to dub up the excess that I had put on the ribs. It was that good. The sauce also had me licking my lips as the taste stayed with you for a while just like a sip of a good single malt scotch.

As far as sides I had the coleslaw, baked beans and macaroni and cheese. The coleslaw can be compared to that of KFC and was ok as I kind of like that type of slaw. Have had better at such places as Lighthouse. I did not find the baked beans spicy at all but then again I tried then after eating the spicy ribs. As for the macaroni and cheese all I can say is forget it. I think that was the worst thing I had. Little taste and very dry and not even sure if that was cheese I was eating. I have never had mac and cheese like that and next time I will look again at it closely to see if it was just soft opening blues or the way things are. But for now I would pass on the mac and cheese.

I sat outside and over all the ribs and sauce were great. That is what I stopped in for so I was satisfied. Side dishes may need some improvement but all in all I am sure to be back.

One side note and I did see a number of people coming in and leave without ordering. I think being out of so many items on the menu is a definitive negative at this time. Being that they have only been open for a day or so things behind the counter were not running smoothly but I am sure that will improve in time. I think the owner will need sometime to figure what items sell out faster than others and act accordingly.

All in all I was pleased and will be back but will give it some time to work it's way down the learning curve.

VG

[CatskillBill]

Thanks for the excellent review Old Geezer. I am a rib lover, and your description made my mouth water. We were talking at the pool today about Burke's and feel that we'll give them a try in a week or two after the bugs are worked out.

[CatskillBill]

Sorry, I meant Virtual Geezer not Old Geezer. Being "virtual" you could be 25 years old?

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by CatskillBill

Sorry, I meant Virtual Geezer not Old Geezer. Being "virtual" you could be 25 years old?

Virtual looks like he is 25 but he is from Ohio and has all those nice genes.

He really shouldn't be hanging out near 466a with all of those children who live south of there, but I would NEVER call him OLD. He IS old enough to live in a 55 community, I am pretty sure.

Just teasin' John. ...and just teasin' folks who live south of 466a, I know there are some grown ups there too.

Excellent review!

Ohio folks recognize good cookin'.

[Trayderjoe]

We've been wondering as to when Burke's was going to open and I am glad to hear that it has. I plan to go there in the near future, and am hopeful especially after reading about the ribs. I am neither a Sonny's fan or a Homewood fan (not knocking those who are) and was hoping for "a shot" at somewhere else!

[Trayderjoe]

Sorry, meant Oakwood. Working on some reservations at Homewood Suites.....LOL

[Biker B]

Where is Burke's?

[teachnmo]

It is on 466a east of The Villages. Use to be a nursery in the front.

[Aloha]

Got there at 12:45 today (Saturday) and they were out of Pulled Pork and most everything else that I wanted. So, I guess I will come back, but will not make a special trip. I know there were a lot of disappointed customers when they found out they were out of so many items. Some had stood in line for quite some time. People leaving told us that they were out of just about everything, so I didn't have to wait too long. I left.

[batman911]

Originally Posted by Aloha

Got there at 12:45 today (Saturday) and they were out of Pulled Pork and most everything else that I wanted. So, I guess I will come back, but will not make a special trip. I know there were a lot of disappointed customers when they found out they were out of so many items. Some had stood in line for quite some time. People leaving told us that they were out of just about everything, so I didn't have to wait too long. I left.

That could mean they are selling more than planned. Sometimes the best food places are packed and out of some really good stuff. If i enter any restaurant that is not crowded, I start to wonder how good the food will be.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Thanks for the review, VG!

Bill

[skyc6]

Originally Posted by Aloha

Got there at 12:45 today (Saturday) and they were out of Pulled Pork and most everything else that I wanted. So, I guess I will come back, but will not make a special trip. I know there were a lot of disappointed customers when they found out they were out of so many items. Some had stood in line for quite some time. People leaving told us that they were out of just about everything, so I didn't have to wait too long. I left.

I just got back and left without food. I know it is a new restaurant, but people were waiting in a line out the door. When we finally got into the building, we could see a back window where people were just coming up to the window and ordering take-out food, or were sitting and eating outside.
If we had known, we could have done that since we were planning on eating outside anyway. Pulled pork was all gone. I feel like the peole who were waiting in line 45 minutes lost out because the food was going out the take out window.

[aabuono]

We got there at about 4:00pm today and decided to pick up our dinner and take it home - I got the Briskit Platter and Sal got the Ribs Platter. The sides that we had (Collards and Sweet potato Casserole) were great. The Briskit was a little tough and the ribs were good, although Sal said 2 were perfect and the other 2 were under cooked. We got 2 different sauces, and they were just OK. We asked and were told that today was only day 3 and that they had run out of food on days 1 & 2. It sounds like the same thing happened today. I think we will go back, but will give them a little time to work out the "kinks"
Anne

[missypie]

Its got to be tough opening up a new restaurant. You want everything to be fresh so maybe they underestimated. Also i think sauce sweet, salty, hot or spicey is also a tough call.

I wish them luck and can't wait to get there and try them and hopefully become regulars!

[justjim]

Originally Posted by Aloha

Got there at 12:45 today (Saturday) and they were out of Pulled Pork and most everything else that I wanted. So, I guess I will come back, but will not make a special trip. I know there were a lot of disappointed customers when they found out they were out of so many items. Some had stood in line for quite some time. People leaving told us that they were out of just about everything, so I didn't have to wait too long. I left.

Sounds like they didn't "learn" from Friday as they were out of just about everything when we were there. Maybe they can only cook so much at a time on their wood fired pit? We left but called at 4:45 and was told they had pulled pork and gave them our order. When I went to pick it up at 5:15, I was told they didn't have the pulled pork but was expecting to maybe have some by 6:00. Obviously, start up problems and it will take time to "debug" their system. Will try again later.