Redneck Bar-B-Que
4874 State hgwy 28
Cooperstown, NY 13326
(607) 547-2678

A couple of years ago, Cherie & I were bored one Sunday & decided to take a drive up Route 28 to to check out Cooperstown Brewery. After a lovely tasting session that left me more than a bit buzzy, we headed toward Cooperstown with the intention of hitting Brewery Ommegang. Before we could get there, we came upon a large sign in the midst of the various Little League ball fields touting Bar-B-Que. Not only that – it was a Redneck joint.

Pulling into the parking lot, it certainly looked very promising. A plain building that could easily be mistaken for a auto supply store, only the beer & BBQ neon let you know there was a Q joint here. Well – that & the smell of wonderful wood smoke. Inside is a great mix of redneck, country & trad Q decoration. Wood tables, stools, chairs & benches. Very relaxed family friendly atmosphere.

That first slightly beer-y visit I had the smoked chicken wings & pulled pork sandwich. Plus a few more beers – couldn’t resist as they have some very nice upstate crafts. I still remember the first taste of those wings. Smoked then perfectly fried & coated in an amazing sticky sweet sauce – they are the perfect post & during beer munchie. I have to admit not really remembering the pork through the beer haze.

Our return trip occurred a few months later after Waffles & Puppets at Brewery Ommegang. Needless to say, I was once again in a beer buzz. (Yes – I likes me my craft brews!) Again – I seem to remember great wings & lovely pork.

Well – flash forward to August 2010. I’m back in research mode for the Hut’s re-opening in October & want to check out the Q joints in the area. The first one to come to mind is Redneck. “Hey,” I say to myself, “Perhaps THIS time you should go there SOBER!”

As so – sober I went for lunch on a Sunday afternoon. Perhaps we did not notice previously, but there is a great outdoor seating area just off the main dining room. We choose to sit there – ordered a few beers – & decided to get the pulled pork platter with fire slaw, mac & cheese plus starters of fried green tomatoes & cheese fries with jalapenos & bacon. We wanted to get the pork unsauced (with a side sampler), but were told it was not possible as the kitchen uses the sauce to heat the pork up. I see where they’re going with that – though there are ways to do that without using a sauce. We chose to go with the Low Country Vinegar sauce as that is closest to the method we use at the Hut for heating pork.

The pork was as great as I remember. Lovely hand pulled pieces with a subtle smoke & just the right spice hit off the vinegar wash. I would have liked a bit more bark in the mix (love those crunchy pieces) but that’s just being picky. Portion was perfect for sharing at lunch especially with two sides & some appetizers.

The Fire Slaw was the side winner. A great vinegar dressing spiked with hot sauce & peppers in the slaw. I’ve made something similar at the Hut & this has made me want to bring it back soon. Mac & cheese was fine – but nothing like the Hut’s. (Yes – I am VERY proud of Cherie’s Mac & Cheese.) The fried green tomatoes came as 6 pieces – perfect for two to share. Nice crust, moist tomato & a ranch dipping sauce. I suspect they pick these from the tomato plants out front. We were underwhelmed by the Cheese Fries. There are few times in life where I think Velveeta is appropriate & cheese fries are one of them. I appreciate Redneck using real cheddar cheese, but it just did not have the gooey cheesiness I wanted. The jalapenos had a nice kick, but I felt the bacon was a bit lacking (as in I could not taste it). Will likely stick with the smoked wings on future visits.

Andre’s Blue Ribbon Barbeque
6047 State Hwy 7
Oneonta, NY 13820
(607) 222-1816

One of our customers told us about this joint on Route 7 in Oneonta. It’s just a few miles past the Oneonta institution of Brooks’ House of Bar-B-Q. Brooks’ ribs & chicken are pretty much what you’ll find at every town fair, church benefit or fundraiser in the greater Delaware County area. To be honest, they do have some fairly nice chicken. I’ve always felt their other food was more grilled than smoked, but that’s just my opinion. Regardless of what you may think about their food – however – one thing is undeniable: Brooks’ has quite a lock on Oneonta.

Or did until Andre’s Blue Ribbon Barbeque. I give Patrick big props for opening in the shadow of Brooks’. He’s a far braver cook than I. He’s got a “joint in a house” style place with a few tables. Look off the end of the porch & you’ll be able to check out his Old Hickory smoker. A hand written menu lists pulled pork, chicken & ribs plus a variety of sides. The night i went, he was also offering brisket. I went for the brisket with beans & buffalo chicken salad. Cherie had a sampler plate with chicken, ribs & a bit of pulled pork plus beans & macaroni salad. Two sauces are on the table: a standard ketchup based sauce & a spicy vinegar sauce.

Solid down home style cooking with chicken FAR superior to Brooks’. Nice crispy skin with juicy smoky meat. Good texture & pull to the pork though I would have liked a bit more smokiness. The ribs are dry rubbed (always a good thing) & have the right amount of tough to tender ratio. Not falling off the bone (ribs should NEVER fall off the bone) but not tough. I was somewhat disappointed in the brisket. I was good beef but not nearly smokey nor tender enough for my tastes. A tad too roast beefy for me. Then again – I am a bit obsessed with brisket.

While we often get up to Oneonta for BBQ supply shopping (thanks BJ’s Club & Lowes), we do not often get this far out Route 7 & usually not as late as Andre’s opens. I believe their hours are 4pm – 9pm & I cannot remember what days they might be closed. Guess I’ll need to make a return visit soon.