Cave Man Kitchens

Looking for ambience? Go elsewhere. Want excellent slow-smoked meat? Follow me, my friend

Despite a fire that destroyed most of the old storefront, Cave Man Kitchens refuses to die. The whole shebang has "temporarily" (read: two-plus years) moved across the street while the original store is being remodeled. Because of this move, prices have been nudged slightly higher; the food is no longer rock-bottom cheap, but that hardly matters since the taste makes the price worthwhile.

What Cave Man does, and does very well, is long slow wood smoking of beef, pork, chicken and fish. (Vegetarians, run screaming.) The "barbecue" sauce served over these delectables is little more than gently spiced tomato paste, but if you've only come for the sauce, you've wholly missed the point of this establishment.

For your first time out, try one of the complete dinners: beef cubes, pork cubes, or salmon. The dinner comes with a serving of baked beans, two slices of toasted French bread, and your choice of potato salad (very tasty, with red potatoes and an ever-so-slightly mustardy dressing) or coleslaw (ick).

If you have any room left over, pick up a Dragon Wheel. "What on earth is a Dragon Wheel?" I hear you cry. Good question. I have absolutely no idea how a foil-wrapped pouch of smoked pork cubes, onions, carrots and potatoes got to be called a Dragon Wheel, but whatever the story is, it's a savory and delicious little packet.

Cave Man also has a "you choke 'em, we smoke 'em" service; bring in your own quality meat or fish and they'll slow-smoke it for you in a few days. As of this writing, the price for this service is a very reasonable $1 per pound.

The original Cave Man had no inside seating and a few picnic tables outside; the temporary location has about six picnic tables inside. Neither one offers much by way of atmosphere. You may want to take your meal to a local park instead, and savor the smoky goodness at your leisure.

All material displayed on this website is © 2001-2009 by S. B. Houghton, writing under the alias "The Pirate King." All rights reserved.
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