I want to tell you about a very pleasant woman, Kim Hackney, who has opened a REAL BARBECUE (not the Portuguese type, although that's yummy too) restaurant in Montclair on Bloomfield Avenue near the Fire station and Bay St Station. It's called "The Wood Pit."Last night I went there for takeout, after seeing the store open up about 2 weeks ago. I was going to work late and was on my own for dinner.
As I passed the store driving west on Bloomfield Avenue, I caught the sweet smell of hickory smoke hovering over Bloomfield Ave. I knew I was going to be in for something good!
When I introduced myself to Kim, she made me feel right at home. She described the sauces (mild, sweet, and according to Kim, "really hot"), and told me of her plan to expand to the adjoining storefront where they will have more tables and wait staff for a sit-down meal.Kim and I discussed what style of Barbecue they offer. The Wood Pit does the Western North Carolina/Georgia version, of which I am most familiar having had lived outside of Atlanta for 4 years a while back.
I asked for the smothered beef slices sandwich with 2 sides: macaroni and cheese, and baked beans. I was a little disappointed when they told me that the sliced beef was already sold out (it was 6:05 for heavens sake!!!!) and I was supposed to call in earlier and or come by earlier in the day.
I opted for a custom chopped chicken sandwich instead; then as they were preparing it a gentleman behind the counter asked me "Can you wait around for a little while, 10-15 minutes? I can make your sliced beef." So I grabbed a root beer, and waited for my sliced beef to be prepared. They opened up the large smokers and a plume of Hickory smoke filled the back of the restaurant, permeating my clothes. I was happy to wear that smell out of the store, the scent reminding me of campfires when I was younger. After a short wait, and several thank you's and I'll be backs, I went home with my southern style barbecue dinner.
I got home and couldn't wait to eat: The sliced beef, although a little cold from a rush job (for them to provide me with my original choice), was tender and smoky; sauce was exactly as I expected: peppery and tomato based. Portions were huge (they claim on their menu the sandwiches are enough for two - I agree). The Mac and Cheese was perfect - better than what I could make at home on a rainy cold Sunday afternoon. Beans were excellent - stick to your ribs sauce!
I will be a regular face in The Wood Pit from this point on when I am on my own for dinner; and likely try to entice my wife to convert to barbecue! Their web site is here.
Please post this up on Baristanet - it deserves a good rating!!!
Agreed, David. I enjoyed The Wood Pit Special, pictured above - a plate of juicy smoked chicken wings with fries, their daily deal - only $5.50. Here's the rib dinner platter - the rib slab is at the top of the page. Watch out for the spicy BBQ sauce - it's four-alarm!!! All desserts are home made by Kim - and the chocolate sour cream cake is worth the calories!
Comments (14)
We tried it this weekend as well and we especially loved the chicken. And the owners couldn't have been nicer. Good luck to them!
On a Sunday afternoon, while reluctantly driving to get groceries that I did not feel like cooking, I saw the Open sign on in window of The Wood Pit, and turned around the block. I was not disappointed.
The sampler I got was delicious - chopped pork, potato salad, and yams. And that dark, tangy NC style sauce was great!
I was also pleased that place is CLEAN inside and out front, with tasteful decor, and Ms. Kim and her Dad were cordial and businesslike.
I hope they can succeed, in the absence of a real community redevelopment planning process to consider the needs of existing businesses on lower Bloomfield Avenue, despite the lack of parking, and despite the stupid strip mall our government is building across the street.
Okay, after viewing these mouth watering chicken wings on this website, I found this store last night. I took myself and my son over there to order. Kim was as hospitable as she could be as well as Carl, who also works there. I really felt "comfy." My son and I sampled the food, (another Baristanet reader came in and ordered too). The smoked bbq wings were great. And the Collards, whoowee! The collards are Delicioso, off the hook or as the kids say "THE BOMB!" And it seems the icing on the cake is, TODAY (literally). She's making RED VELVET CAKE. I am a Red Velvet Cake connoisseur. I know a good Red Velvet Cake, so I can't wait to check this out tonight. - The Wood Pit should definitely look forward to putting down some "long roots" in Montclair (the food, coupled with the cordiality of the people)- ITS A KEEPER IN MY BOOK! Fellow Baristanet Readers, check it out......
I was looking forward to trying The Wood Pit. I was so not disappointed. The food was excellent and so was the service. True southern hospitality in Montclair, who knew. Spread the word,.If you like BBQ There's a new sheriff in town. The Wood Pit.
This place is the real deal - we've tried all the BBQ places around town and now need to look no further.
Get ready for barbecue of a lifetime. We had two racks and smoked chicken last Friday night and it was to die for. Moist, flavorful, fall off the bone pork, with a tangy sauce that will send your taste buds into a frenzy. The smoked chicken -- just right with enough smoke and moisture...the sides, yummy, yummy, yummy...mac and cheese unlike any I have tasted: creamy and cheesy, not gluey or gelatanous. Collard greens cooked with flecks of smoked turkey, beans in a not too sweet sauce. This has been barbecue I have been searching for. It leaves the others in town in the dust. Congtrats to the Wood Pit, and continued success to Kim and her husband.
Who needs the phone number when you can just click on their ad right next to this post......
Just wanted to add my $.02 to all the positive words that have been written here about the Wood Pit--it's all true and then some.
We had sliced pork with collards/mac and cheese and the BBQ sampler, and every single thing was absolutely delicious. (If you're adventurous, ask Lawrence to let you try the extra-hot sauce he's experimenting with, yum!!)
Kim was generous enough to slip me a piece of red velvet cake on my way out the door, and it was sublime. Worth the temporary derailing of my food plan for the week.
The proprietors could not be nicer people, and I wish them huge success.
Clarification, please--this place is take-out only, right?
I'm ME -
Yes this is mostly take-out but there are tables you can eat at. I went there a few weeks ago with friends and had a sit-down dinner.
The food is top-noch BBQ and Kim and Lawrence couldn't be nicer.
Enjoy!
Thank you!
Excellent bar-b-que. Generous portions and friendly staff. What else can you ask for ? Our whole family of 6 enjoyed the chicken, ribs, beans, fries and sauces.
I got delivery from the Wood Pit last night and must tell you what a great experience it was. First of all, it was timely (25 Minutes). Secondly, I asked to pay with credit and they brought a mini-credit card machine with them (like the UPS guy) so i had a signed receipt and everything which made me feel very safe.
I had the Rib Plate with Hot sauce on it, and it was to die for. Succulent, sweet, hot and falling right off the bone. I had a side of baked beans and corn on the cob, both of which were great even though the corn is out of season. The cornbread was moist and delicious and the prices reasonable.
I'm hoping for some Potato Salad & some other optinos for sides, but first experience here was wonderful. Good luck!
Ok, I'm not going to lie - I think I had mismanaged expectations going into my first visit to The Wood Pit. The staff was incredibly nice, definitely no complaints about that, but, I must admit, I wasn't 100% satisfied with my meal. I ordered a combo sandwich, chopped pork and brisket, which claims is big enough for two. I'm not that huge of a guy, but I ate the sandwich down and was still hungry at the end. I don't understand why two slices of wonderbread with meat on it is enough for two people. Other than portion size, the food was great. The meat was smokey, hearty, and delicious. Both the mild signature sauce and super spicy sauce were excellent, but $8 for a sandwich that left me needing more was unimpressive. I may or may not return.