Bubba's Q Serves It Up Succulent

When I was in Dallas for Super Bowl XLV, I had the chance to sample some of the best BBQ and steak places in the country.

Angelo’s in Ft. Worth, an authentic old fashioned rib joint, where the ribs fell off the bone, was perhaps the best I had ever sunk my teeth into.

Then I found on SR 83 in Avon.

Three words sum up the dining experience at Bubba’s Q: Delicious, succulent and incredible.

And the atmosphere, especially if you’re a football fan isn’t bad either. The spacious and clean restaurant is adorned with football memorabilia, and puts you in a comfort zone the minute you walk through the doors.

My colleague and I decided to start with the biggest appetizer we could, the Bubba's Q sampler. While it was a meal in itself, it provided a large sampling of what was on the menu, and was fit for a king. The perfectly spiced beef brisket was smoked to perfection, and it was very tender and surprisingly juicy.

The fries, not what would be served at most restaurants, were interesting. They were extremely crispy and almost didn't need a sauce, but with the cup of Bubba's sweet BBQ sauce on the platter, you couldn't resist dipping.

We decided to have the pulled chicken instead of pork on the sampler, and being from southern Ohio where they make it right, my colleague was pleased with the Applewood taste that it carried. She also enjoyed the way the ribs were smoked and how they didn't require extra sauce.

Although there was plenty with the sampler, I decided to go with Bubba's signature dish, the D-boned baby back ribs at the suggestion of our server.

I love ribs and was curious how a half rack of D-boned ribs would taste, considering I like to pull mine apart when I order and not eat with a fork. Well, I ended up eating these with a fork and was stunned by the taste and the fact they had very little fat on them. They were delicate and smooth in flavor.

My colleague ordered the Big Baked Potato. "Big" was an understatement. Not only was it topped with pulled pork, but it also was loaded with BBQ sauce, cheddar cheese and sour cream.

If there was a negative to the Bubba's Q experience, its the fact the sauce, which is award winning and delicious, came in a small cup off to the side and not a bottle on the table. But it wasn't really needed as food was succulent as is.

As for that taste there is a reason. We were told by our server that Bubba learned from one of the best.

His uncle, "Daddy Jr." is the owner of Jenkins Quality Barbecue, considered one of the finest barbecue restaurants not only in the south, but the entire country, and Bubba was an apprentice under him for years.

One other thing about Bubba's that sets it apart from other places, at least on our visit, was the fact Bubba himself walked through the entire dining area and spoke with everyone, despite having someone waiting for him. He asked each diner where they were from, if it was their first visit, made suggestions, and what I like the best was great with the kids.

• Hours: Tue, Wed, Thu, 11am - 9pm; Fri, Sat, 11am - 10pm; Sun, 11am - 8pm; Mon, open for private parties. Catering: daily.
• Food & dining options: Natural
• General services: Catering, Eat-in, Take-out
• Menu link: bubbasqdining. com/ menus/ dine-in/
• Parking: Free lot
• Private events: Yes
• Cuisine: Barbecue
• Reservations: Not accepted