Doc’s Smokehouse is a four-year-old restaurant brand that expanded from Indiana into Madison (at West Towne Mall) and Milwaukee. It features southern BBQ and a huge whiskey list.
I’d rate the BBQ as “very good,” and I was able to try most of the items in the 2 meat plate ($18). I chose brisket and pulled pork for my meats, plus I tacked on two ribs for $3. I want you to know that it brings a smile to my face when the server asks you if you want your brisket “fatty” or lean. Of course, I chose the former, and let me explain that the fatty brisket isn’t packed with gristle, but it is melt-in-your-mouth tender. I also liked the salty crust.
The pulled pork, while tender, was quite mild in flavor, and thus I had to add sauce, mostly the Caroline vinegar. Speaking of the sauce, you don’t often see Alabama white. It’s horseradish slightly muted by mayonnaise, and it’s tasty. My favorite homemade sauce was the spicy one, even though it wasn’t spicy but had good pepper flavor. The tangy sauce reminded me of Arby’s sauce.
I’m glad I added the ribs to the plate. They had a smoky flavor and were tender but not fall-off-the-bone level, and no sauce was needed.
But those ribs were nothing compared to the pork wings ($11), which are flash-fried pork ribs tossed in a dry rub. Man, were these tasty, juicy and flavorful ribs. I’d recommend ordering these instead of the regular ribs.
Meanwhile, I don’t recommend the wings (five for $7, 10 for $13 and 20 for $25). They’re hickory-smoked, flash-fried and tossed with dry rub, but they are dry and don’t have much flavor, odd considering the pork wings are basically prepared the same way.
Of note, Doc’s offers three specials: beef ribs on Friday night, prime rib on Saturday night and burnt ends on Sunday.
One of the specialty drinks that caught my eye was the No. 1 With A Bullet ($7). The concoction of Old Forester 100 Proof Bourbon, Pimm’s No. 1, lemon and rosemary honey is served with smoking rosemary. I found myself enjoying the unique aroma (for a cocktail) and the sweetness of the honey.
Doc’s Smokehouse is open every day for lunch, dinner and carryout.
Tags: BBQ, West Towne
