I need to publish this post on a Saturday because I am afraid that if I did this on a Sunday it would increase exponentially my inevitable trip to visit Satan based purely on the gluttony that I freely admit to weekly in my sessions with you all. You, my dear readers, have become my confessional. If your daily meal prayer is "Bless the Meat, Damn the Skin, Open your Kisser and Cram it In" you fully understand.
I had an epiphany at a BBQ place in Purcellville, VA aptly named Monks BBQ. The moment I saw the name, it was like a voice from above (or below) telling me to make a pilgrimage and bring friends. To add to the lure, they claim to have one of the largest selections of rare and hard to find Bourbons and Whiskeys on the planet. BBQ and Bourbon, tell me this was not a sign from god that he loves us and wants us to be happy.
When you arrive at Monks the first thing you will notice is the giant smokers along the side of the building. The entire front on the restaurant has a wood rack that spans end to end with cut wood to keep these man made meat making machines fed constantly so we can indulge in at least two of the seven deadly sins daily. All this visual and I have yet to exit the car. As Eddie Money once said "I Think I'm in Love".As we were entering Monks for the first time, the sky overhead grew dark with menacing storm clouds and the winds began to howl. Was this a warning to stay away? Some may have felt that, to me it was a sign that I needed to pick up the pace, stop taking pictures of the smokers and get my ass inside where I belonged.
Inside the the atmosphere was much more inviting with a full bar along the left side of the room, a much needed crowd control line on the right side, and smack dab in the middle of the back wall was the menu board from heaven surrounded by yet even more stacked wood with a small window where you place your order. Your order is written on the corner of butcher block paper and placed in a metal tray where is is sent back to the cooks who work their magic and fill your tray with smoked goodness beyond your wildest dreams.
Lets talk about the menu board, Brisket, Burnt Ends, Brisket Meatloaf, Smoke Whole Pastrami, Pulled Pork, Pulled Chicken and of course Monk's Big Ol' Slab of dry rub ribs. I was with a small group of like minded travelers so we unconsciously ordered everything so we could all share, and share we did. They have a spot on the menu board called extras, just a little more meat in case you like a little something on the side, such as Bacon on a Stick or Texas Hot Link Sausage. And it was not just the meat, Monk's offers other specialty sides such as Custard Filled Cornbread, yes this is clearly the love child of a devilish tryst between cornbread and creme brulee. You simply must try this. And while your at it, might I suggest the Smoke Gouda Mac & Cheese, as smooth as the satin on Satan's cape.
Not that this story needs any more religion, as soon as we were all seated with our meals, every cell phone in the place went off with a Tornado alert. The wind blew open the doors and the rain that came in would have made Noah shake in his ark. The men who work the smokers came rushing thru the doors like Moses parting the red sea. And not a person in the place got up from there seats, we all just continued eating like we were in a trance. When the power went out and the room was thrown into complete darkness, the only sound you heard was one diner complaining that he could not find which sauce cup to dip his brisket in. Fortunately the storm passed, the power came back on and each bite of meat found its proper place in the sauce.Located at 251 N. 21st Street in Purcellville, VA Monk's BBQ is worth the trip from anywhere. Check them out at MonksQ.com and tell them the high priest at the Bone-bag sent you! Can I get an amen from the congregation?
Next week the Bone-bag will continue with a stop at a BBQ festival and cook-off competition at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. The sins continue!
