New BBQ Favorite...

[DDT (12)]

Rain has had me canceling and/or aborting long rides for many weeks now... Well, that and a couple of other things, too, but no matter... I'm still finding it difficult to escape 'Heaven's Waiting Room'...

So, on my way back to Ocala yet again after yet another abandoned attempt last Sunday, I eased my angst by imagining 'The Woodyard Grill' would be open, and that the quality of their 'Q' would be as good as or better than I remembered... They were and it was!!! If they hadn't been open, I'd figured on Bubba Que's in Williston as a good fall-back option...

By taking US 27 from Perry over through High Springs, then south to Williston, I'd not only get to ride two-lane roads all the way, I'd also necessarily pass through Newberry, FL... west of Gainesville on SR 26 about 17 miles or so. And, that just so happens to be where the Woodyard Grill is located!

Many years ago, Newberry was home to 'The Back Porch BBQ' establishment in downtown, and I was mighty partial to that location and offerings... One fine day I dropped by and they were closed! Well, I had high hopes that would change at some point... and it did... sorta. A new place had opened out on US 27 just north of the intersection with SR 26... and it had a new name.

Well, I was informed that the old place had been sold, then closed... The original owner had opened a new place... The Woodyard Grill... so, I gave them a try... I liked it too! That's why I was so eager to pop in again on my way to my land-lady's place.

BBQ places have slowly changed to keep pace with modern trends, and most are open on Sundays nowadays... in the past that was frequently not the case... Anyway, I had my fingers crossed, and... Yep, I got what I'd wished for!

Man, I did not recall it being that good the previous time I'd sampled their pig-parts! I tested the meat before adding any sauce to see how I liked the rub and smoking technique... Surprisingly tasty! They offered three sauces, Spicy, Sweet, and Mustard... I tried all three and really liked them all!

I've never been a big fan of mustard based sauces before, but that has now changed! I was particularly surprised at just how much I did enjoy that; and, after sampling all three, I used the Mustard Sauce on the remainder of my serving! The fries, cold slaw, and garlic toast were also quite pleasing...

Maybe it was that I'd just had my palate all set to help smooth-out the disappointment of having to cancel yet another major expedition, but whatever it was, this meal-stop exceeded my expectations by a rather wide margin! I met the owner afterward and congratulated him... and I wished him much success. Yep, I want that place to remain open for a very long time, indeed!

Oh, and one more thing... One look at the owner, Rocky, and I just knew he 'ain't from around here'... Nope, and it turns out he is actually from New York! Now, with BBQ that good one would ordinarily assume the preparer must be a direct descendant of Robert E. Lee or other southern notable... Just goes to show, I reckon... You really can't judge a book by its cover... As far as Q goes, though, Rocky is tops in my book!

If anybody is out wandering around that area and in the mood for some seriously good 'Q'... I give this place a 'Five Pig' rating!!!

DDT

[Flrider]

Thanks for the heads up Bruce.
I will definitely make this a bookmark for a future visit or maybe we will do a RTE destination as a group.
Place looks really good from the pics

Here is a link to their website:

https://woodyardgrill.com/our-story/

[DDT (12)]

Thanks for the heads up Bruce.
I will definitely make this a bookmark for a future visit or maybe we will do a RTE destination as a group.
Place looks really good from the pics

Here is a link to their website:

https://woodyardgrill.com/our-story/

Jack,

Thanks for posting the website URL! Dang, I should have thought of that myself... Oh well, nobody ever accused me of being thorough! An RTE would be a great idea... Heck, the weather looks good for this coming Saturday, so I think I'll just scoot on over for another taste... If anybody else, especially including you, would want to join me... please let me know, so I can give Rocky a heads-up on headcount.

I'll most likely arrive around 11:30am... No real need to eat that early unless others just wanted to. If any from far away wanted to make it, then a later dining time would be easy to arrange. Mostly time for some serious tire-kicking is nearly as important as the food itself, so... not a prob either way!!! Y'all come, ya he-ah…?

DDT

[pocket aces]

RTE RTE RTE.   

[DDT (12)]

RTE RTE RTE.   

PA,

Yep, reckon so! Reminds me of the old days here in Florida... Somebody would mention going to some eatery someplace, and the next thing ya knew... I've shown up when nobody else did... other times I've seen 30 or more pop in... 'Jis cordin'... Wonder what this Saturday might bring...?

DDT

[Flrider]

Jack,

Thanks for posting the website URL! Dang, I should have thought of that myself... Oh well, nobody ever accused me of being thorough! An RTE would be a great idea... Heck, the weather looks good for this coming Saturday, so I think I'll just scoot on over for another taste... If anybody else, especially including you, would want to join me... please let me know, so I can give Rocky a heads-up on headcount.

I'll most likely arrive around 11:30am... No real need to eat that early unless others just wanted to. If any from far away wanted to make it, then a later dining time would be easy to arrange. Mostly time for some serious tire-kicking is nearly as important as the food itself, so... not a prob either way!!! Y'all come, ya he-ah…?

DDT

Bruce

Would be great for this Saturday, can't commit yet cause I need to know if I'm working this Saturday, will know more Thursday afternoon.

Anyone else on for this RTE

[sixlow]

Far be it from me to question the expertise of a well versed BBQ connoisseur of all parts pig like. This sounds like a wonderful idea Bruce !     let me check with the boss and see if I can wrangle together a few other Que lovers, I'll post back.

[Bronxboy]

I'm in 

[_Sheffjs_]

Sherry and I are still fighting the crud and will not make the Saturday Newberry run, bummer as I have an friend there I haven’t seen in a long time and wanted to look him up.   I am not able to take off of work and I believe it does not help to rid of this.

[Flrider]

I'll be there 

[sixlow]

I have a head count of 4, possibly 5. Liz and I, Jim and Linda, and possibly Mike G. Lots of protein on that menu and I'm curious about the blackened broccoli  !

[Bronxboy]

I am sure Mike & Leslie will go and spoke to Gil today and He and Crystal will try and make it as well.

[Farside]

  Almost close enough. I love me some BBQ  Ya'll have fun. 

[Bronxboy]

Meet at Dumpster around 9am, KSU around 10am, arrive around 11:30am

[OLDFRT]

I am going to have to pass on this one. Younger son and Grands coming for a visit.

[DDT (12)]

Tis the season, I suppose... Time for sniffles, snafus, sudden surprises... all that unseemly jazz. Oh well, no time is ever perfect, so we just do what we can do... If my math skills, such as they are, are even remotely in the ballpark, and allowing for... the vagaries of sudden stuff popping up unexpectedly, we may just see as many as a dozen or so, give or take, hearty appetites and discerning riders show-up!

Pig parts themselves are more than sufficient to lure this diner out. The prospects of riding are always a surefire way to entice my tookus from that danged ol' recliner, too, and the thought of meeting up with like-minded kindred spirits... well... that is a truly powerful incentive, as well! Put all that together, and... Yep, it's a pretty safe bet where I'll be come Saturday around 11:30am!!! Y'all come... let's kick some tires! Have I ever mentioned how good I used to be...? Heck, the older I get, the better I was, too...

DDT

[Jims99]

I have a head count of 4, possibly 5. Liz and I, Jim and Linda, and possibly Mike G. Lots of protein on that menu and I'm curious about the blackened broccoli  !

I am 90% sure I’ll be going. Mike, I’ll get with you on your route and meet up with y’all.

[Steel cowboy]

Count me in too, minus Patti, she is going “Mud Jogging” with her family. I thought we only did thing like that when we were little. LOL

[ridingron]

If you guys don't mind a non-Valk rider, I'm in. I'll ride in the back so as to not embarrass anyone. 

[sixlow]

I have a head count of 4, possibly 5. Liz and I, Jim and Linda, and possibly Mike G. Lots of protein on that menu and I'm curious about the blackened broccoli  !

I am 90% sure I’ll be going. Mike, I’ll get with you on your route and meet up with y’all.

O.K. Jim sounds good. Palatka Racetrac gas station about 9 30, you have my number.

Ridingron meet them guys at the dumpster, all are welcome

[_Sheffjs_]

We discussed back and forth all day about this one but wisdom and needed rest won.  Have fun all. 

[Lucky Duck]

Add five more to the head count. Greg, Bert, Frank, Luke and Joe will be there. We won't be going to the dumpster though, see ya at Newberry

[Flrider]

If you guys don't mind a non-Valk rider, I'm in. I'll ride in the back so as to not embarrass anyone.  

Hey Ron.

If you want to join me for the ride let me know.
If we want to meet Nick at the dumpster we have to be rolling by 8am and if we go straight to Newberry we can sleep in and be rolling by 9am.  

Feel free to call/text
407346136one

Jack

I know it is late but just getting off work.

I think the count is closer to 20 confirmed including the ones that posted on FB.

Not bad for an innocent post about BBQ, way to go Bruce 

[Flrider]

We discussed back and forth all day about this one but wisdom and needed rest won.  Have fun all. 

Sorry u guys can't make it, hope you recoup 

[DDT (12)]

OK, it's official... I'm getting excited! This is shaping up to be something special, and... Sorry Jerry & Sherry won't be there... they always add a lot to any gathering when they are present... Oh well, sniffles are nothing to 'sneeze' at... Others, too, have some issues preventing them from showing up, as well... they, too, will be missed. Still, for a spur of the moment idea...

Just goes to show, I reckon, this bunch still loves to ride, jaw, and dine... I know I certainly do! I haven't been around much these last few years, but... Fate seems to be keeping me close this year, so... Never a lack of things do down here, so there just may be lots more of this in my future than there has been lately... Not bad, huh!!! Looking forward to dining on some fine swine in a couple of hours... and to seeing a group that is the envy of many other riders in other states!!!

DDT

[Steel cowboy]

See you at the dumpster around 9:15. My “chick” decided that wind therapy is better than mud therapy

[Squirrel]

I won't make this one folks.  I just spent a couple of days at my daughters ' place in Gainesville, so need to catch up on some stuff here at home.  Have fun all.  If it rains, be careful out there. 

[Bronxboy]

Great turn out, Great Food, and as always Great Company. Hey Bruce I went inside to grab your check and u beat me to it  Thanks for lunch. This is a Great place for a large Group, as they can easily accommodate.

Weather was perfect, and 130 miles each way for lunch was a good ride. I am sure some will post pictures, I will put a few up on the FB page as well. I think the Brooklyn Owner was real happy to see us, and I assured him we will return in numbers again.

I hope everyone arrived home safely. 

[Steel cowboy]

It was a great ride, with the weather on its best behavior. It was great to catch up with old and new friends.

[sixlow]

Outstanding food ! Bruce you know good BBQ allrighty, Here is one of the hits, a double pork chop platter, they are as thick as a brick and fork tender. the sliced pork and chicken I had was melt in mouth.  Great to see you all today.

[JimC]

Nice job on the pics Mike!
I know Wisconsin is not known for its BBQ, but those were by far the best pork chops I have ever eaten.
It seemed everyone's dinner was just as good.

Thanks for inviting Linda and I, we had a great time, met great people, and had a great ride.

Jim

[larue]

Where’s bruce oh wait may be he’s taking the pictures 
Great turn out,glad y’all enjoyed it

[Bronxboy]

Where’s bruce oh wait may be he’s taking the pictures 
Great turn out,glad y’all enjoyed it

Bruce is in the pictures

[larue]

Where’s bruce oh wait may be he’s taking the pictures 
Great turn out,glad y’all enjoyed it

Bruce is in the pictures

I missed him I’m not used to see him in  full beard.

[DDT (12)]

Honest... I wasn't there incognito and the beard was not intended to hide anything. Nope, that is actually the third time I've had one in recent months... entirely because I just got tired of shaving! Yep, at my age and condition, no need to attempt to impress the ladies any more... not that I ever did a very good job at that anyway... so, nowadays it's all about function and nothing about form!

Man, that was some time we had, huh!!! Food was great, weather nearly perfect... and, of course, the company was spectacular!!! I counted 15 bikes and 21 folks in attendance. What a most pleasant surprise! I thoroughly enjoyed myself... first the ride over was really pleasant. The meal was everything I'd hoped it would be, and hanging out with old and new friends was... you know... the highlight of the outing! I took a 'long cut' home and logged a few more miles on our girl... Please, nobody pinch me! If I am dreaming, I surely don't want to wake-up yet!!!

DDT

[Thunderbolt]

Bruce looks like a good crowd you conjured up.  Reminds me of some of the ones we had back in the day.  Remember when we decided to eat at Ken's on 90 East of Lake City and Iris and I were the only ones to show up besides yourself?  Was it closed that day and we had to go somewhere else?  Not sure on that.

[DDT (12)]

Terry,

Yep, this was a good 'un fer sure!!! I was hoping you and Iris might pop-in... I know y'all are not riding any more, but... I hope you're still driving, at least! Maybe next time...

I recall several times when just the three of us attended some of those early 'Q Runs' we used to do... We did dine on some fine swine, though, and the conversations we had were always worth the ride to meet up with y'all! In 'playing back the tapes' of some of those favorite eatery visits, I've found myself inspired to go see if any of them are still open… and if their pig-parts are still as good as I remember...

Appears returning to the wild west may not be in the cards for yours truly this season, so... I reckon I'll just make the most of it in 'old ways'! Life is grand, but we gotta take what's available and not simply whine about what we don't have... If y'all ain't gone vegan on me, perhaps we can meet up again like we once did... I'll keep an eye out for ya...

DDT

[Jims99]

I agree. Great food, weather, and friends. Really enjoyed every bit of it. Thanks 

[Thunderbolt]

I had planned to attend what we Amateur Radio operators (hams) call a Hamfest in Brooksville Fl. yesterday, kind of like a flea market of sorts for stuff of that nature.  Otherwise we probably would have made an appearance.
We have still been putting on miles, just not on 2 wheels but on 10.  6 on the dually truck and 4 on the 5th wheel RV.  Last year our "big" trip was North to Minnesota then West across North Dakota all the way to Washington State and Oregon and the Pacific Ocean then back across the central U.S. through Missouri where I lived as a kid and back home.  Total on that trip was 10,600 miles.  Teddy Roosevelt N.P, Glacier N.P, Crater Lake etc.  51 days out which was a record for us.
We are meeting a group of local RV'er friends in Nashville first part of March and going to the Ryman Auditorium for some entertainment of the country sort.
Any of the group that has not done so and has attained the age of 62 and plan on going to any of our National Parks would be wise to purchase the America the Beautiful pass as it gets you in all the parks for free forever.  When I got mine it was $10, but now has gone up to $80 but still well worth the investment.

[pocket aces]

https://www.relive.cc/view/v8qV1Agoj76

Relive video. Woodyard BBQ