Red Hot & Blue
677 Main St
Laurel, MD

Meat  3.5
Sides  3
Sauce  3
Service  4
Atmosphere  3.5

Overall  3.5

Reviewer's Comments:  We stopped in at 2:30 in the afternoon, after the lunch "rush", so the restaurant was nearly empty. I ordered the "Tennessee Triple" (your choice of three out of "Memphis Ribs" - wet or dry, beef, "pulled pig", or chicken).  I got the ribs (dry), beef, and pulled pig.  The ribs and pulled pig were good, beef too dry.  My wife had a pulled pig sandwich.  Sides of cole slaw and smoky baked beans.  The manager made a point of stating their ribs are not steamed or boiled (remember that RH&B uses electric cookers with wood smoke for flavoring). If I go back I'd just stick with their ribs or pulled pig.  If you order the "Triple" it comes with a small toasted loaf of bread.  I cut mine into halves and made sandwiches with the pork and beef.  Extra sauce and dry rub is available at your table.

Reviewed By:  Glenn Birkhimer ( gbirkhim@access.k12.wv.us ) on August, 1997.

O'Brien's Pit Barbecue
387 East Gude Dr
Rockville, Md
(301)340-8729

Meat  4
Sides  3
Sauce  3
Service  2.5
Atmosphere  3

Overall  3.5

Reviewer's Comments:  Stopped here with another bbqlist member for a meet-and-greet.  O'Brien's cooks over hickory (no gazzz or electric).  The service is sort of cafeteria style.  You go through the "Chow Line", order what meat you want (chopped pork shoulder, chopped beef, pork spare ribs, chicken, or sausage), then self-serve on the sides (baked beans, corn-on-the-cob, red beans and rice, cole slaw, baked potato, etc.).  A good selection of beer (long-necks) on ice.  I had ribs, chopped pork, and beef.  Ribs and beef were very good, but the pork was a tad dry.  Also self-serve on the sauce (extra sauce available in the dining area).  Hot sauce (Texas Pete and McIlhenny) and pickled chiles (small tobascos) at the table.  Live music on Tues., Wed., Thurs., and Sat.

Reviewed By:  Glenn Birkhimer ( gbirkhim@access.k12.wv.us ) on Nov. 28, 1997.

Name: Famous Dave's
Address:
City: Columbia
State: MD
Phone:
Meat: 3.5
Sauce: 3
Sides: 4
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 3
Overall: 3.5
Date: 10/22/2003
User: Phil Petry
Email: pspetry02@aol.com
Date: 10/22/2003
Time: 11:42:33 AM

Comments

I had spare ribs, chicken, and brisket all of which was average at best. The beans on the other hand were very good and the slaw was even better than that. I wish I had the recipe.