**** Iron Pig has closed
This post really underlines why I like to make multiple visits to places when possible. It's not always practical. But if a place shows promise, I try to visit more than once if possible. Iron Pig is a good example, though sometimes it takes a while.
Back in November, Iron Pig Alehouse opened in PB; you can read Kirbie's post on the place. soon after opening, I visited with a friend of mine.....
And while the service was nice and the beer selection decent; I thought the meal left a lot to be desired.
From the nicely flavored but rubbery skinned smoked wings, to the baby backs with a decent rub, but quite dry and mealy texture, to the mushy brisket. The sauce seemed what my friends would call "competition sauce".....tasting like a doctored up base. Not bad mind you, just quite generic.
And yet, there seemed some potential here; the flavor of the wings were quite good........
So it took me six months to convince my biggest BBQ critic, the Missus ("your rubs is too bitter"...."the ribs you made are too dry"......."that pork butt needs to be smoked a bit longer") to check out Iron Pig. And we're glad we did.
Take a look at this version of the smoked wings ($9.99).
Nice and crisp, smoky, perhaps edging on being too salty, but I'll never complain about anything being too smoky. The wings were also moist and tender....just about perfect for us.
Of course the Missus "needed" a salad....sigh.....but, She made the right choice in ordering the "Man Salad" ($12.99).
Our Server/bartender was awesome.....she actually warned us that the "salad has French fries on it....and some folks take exception to that!" Really? It's ok to have fries in the burrito, but not in a salad? This was a huge salad. The blue cheese, brisket (much better than previously encountered), and arugula worked really well for us.
The only item we both didn't care for were the rib tips. I'm a big rib tip fan....I love maneuvering around the chewy cartilage, through all that rich fatty tissue, and the burnt crust for that perfect bite. This was too mushy, mild, and frankly ruined by all that sauce. You really didn't get the joy of having a nice rib tip. Perhaps I'm in the minority, but crunchy, crusty, fatty, rib tips just do well on their own with sauce on the side.
Overall, we had a nice meal. The service was very friendly....actually, I wish I got the name of our bartender/server. She was awesome. I'm sure we'll be back...especially since most draft beers are half price during Happy Hour. I need to have those wings again.....just to see....which version is the norm.
Iron Pig Alehouse
1520 Garnet Ave
San Diego, CA 92109
Long time reader of your blog, love what you do!
Posted by: Ji | Sunday, 19 April 2015 at 08:56 PM
nice that they pulled through in most of their dishes!
Posted by: kat | Monday, 20 April 2015 at 04:40 AM
Hi Ji - Thanks so much for reading and also for taking the time to comment! We appreciate it.
Hi Kat - Yes, I like it when things turn out like this.
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 20 April 2015 at 06:29 AM
The 2nd visit wings look awesome! Keep us updated!
Posted by: Soo H | Monday, 20 April 2015 at 08:45 AM
Ha love the concept of the 'Man Salad' sometimes when I order a salad I just want a handful of fries or some toasty bread to kind of balance out the healthiness of the salad....so I'll take french fries as croutons any day.
Posted by: J.S. @ Sun Diego Eats | Monday, 20 April 2015 at 09:48 AM
I'm glad you got to experience a good version of the wings! I've been wondering how they are now.
Posted by: Kirbie | Monday, 20 April 2015 at 12:42 PM
I will Soo!
I did enjoy the fries in the salad JS.
Hi Kirbie - Our second visit was much better than the first. So hopefully things will keep improving
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 20 April 2015 at 06:25 PM
woo, those wings don't look alike at all. last time we went, the first version didn't taste good. gotta go back.
agreed about the rib tips, too saucy.
have you gone to the BBQ place at the old Sherman Shack location in Sherman Heights? it's quite good.
Posted by: Didi | Tuesday, 21 April 2015 at 10:58 AM
Would that be SQUE? Someone mentioned the place to me....though I'm not a big fan of long and slow over mesquite which is I was told they use. I'll put it on my list though.
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 21 April 2015 at 11:20 AM
yes, it's SQUE, though, the sign is Sonny's BBQ.
i enjoy it even if it's not as great as Coop's West Texas.
Posted by: Didi | Wednesday, 22 April 2015 at 10:42 PM
OK Didi - I'll add them to my list. THanks!
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 23 April 2015 at 06:24 AM