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Pit stop
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It all
started with a pig roast. "It was just one of those things," explains
Anthony Sibona, co-owner of Hot Rod's Real Pit BBQ in Wharton.
"The first pig roast I did for myself, The next a friend asked me to
do., and then it became a part-time job. I just kept going." The end
result is a barbeque hotspot where, regulars say, the food rivals some
of the best down-home cooking anywhere. |
Sibona, who has an extensive background in the restaurant business,
started Hot Rod's as small neighborhood place in Mine Hill. It proved
so popular, however, that he and his wife/co-owner Toby opted to
expand to the current 60-seat location.
Though he may have stumbled
into the barbeque business by chance, Sibona says that the popularity
of his cuisine is no accident; it took plenty of trial and error,
taste-testing and travel to the country's soul-food capitals to get
the recipe just right. "What makes us special is that we try to keep
our menu very simple," he says. "Everything is made fresh, and we cook
everything on location."
Among the spot's must-have dishes are the pork ribs, smoked in-house
($19.99 for a full slab); the pulled pork sandwich ($8.29); home-made,
made-to-order coleslaw ($2.29) and warm cornbread with maple butter
(complimentary in the dining room, or $2.29 for an extra order). The
barbeque sauce is made on premises, as are all the dry rubs. You can
also find a couple of Jersey twists: Southwestern Lasagna, jambalaya,
meatloaf–even a vegetarian wrap. "It's
Yankee barbeque," Sibona notes. "Since I'm from New Jersey, I wanted
to cook from the heart."
Because few Garden Staters know true barbeque when they taste it, the
Sibonas train their staff to make sure each employee is knowledgeable.
True to the "Hot Rod" name, the interior is chocked full of classic
car and motorcycle memorabilia, and there are always crayons–as well
as a miniature car–on hand for the kids. |
"Yankee barbeque" awaits at Hot Rod's in Wharton
"I love Hot Rod's," confesses Andy Hauschild of
Morris Plains. "My Husband loves the ribs, and I love the chicken.
It's all so good."
P.S. If you want to taste how it all began, you can have Hot Rod's
cater your next gathering. The basic roast costs $650 and feeds up to
125 adults.
Hot Rod's Real Pit BBQ, 19 North Main Street, Wharton; 973-361-5050;
www.hotrodsbbq.com |
