As some of you who follow us will be aware, it was Sarahs birthday at the beginning of March so we were away in the Lake District.
We have both been saying for a while that we would love to visit any of our BBQ friends Pop Up Restaurant evenings and with Andy Annat posting events on Facebook a lot recently we wished we lived closer.
We have both been saying for a while that we would love to visit any of our BBQ friends Pop Up Restaurant evenings and with Andy Annat posting events on Facebook a lot recently we wished we lived closer.
Then this event was posted.
This was ideal as it was being held while we were in the Lake District and was only about an hour and a half away!
The surprise plan was put in motion with myself and Andy organising the evening, and Andy being more than generous!
The event was held at Blind Jacks in Knaresborough so when it came to the day, Sarah still had no clue even though she was liking photos etc from Andy on Facebook while sat outside the hotel 200yds away!
This was ideal as it was being held while we were in the Lake District and was only about an hour and a half away!
The surprise plan was put in motion with myself and Andy organising the evening, and Andy being more than generous!
The event was held at Blind Jacks in Knaresborough so when it came to the day, Sarah still had no clue even though she was liking photos etc from Andy on Facebook while sat outside the hotel 200yds away!
After the huge surprise of us walking towards the Pub and being greeted by Andy's huge BBQ Truck and Smokers, we had a good catch up over a pint of two before heading inside. (Because quite frankly you aren't here to hear about us catching up, you are here for the food right?)
Ribs and Racks
Blind Jacks was full to bursting for Ribs and Racks Night, not only for the food but also there was a Rib Eating Competition being held too.
This is the first time that myself and Sarah had been to a pop up restaurant so we didn't quite know what to expect.
As the smell of the smoke from Andy's custom smoker wafted in through the open window, we were all handed our first helping of food.
These were Pork Ribs, covered in a sticky BBQ glaze.
As all of the people in the room were served, the noise of the full pub went from a loud chatter to near silence as the people started ripping the meat from the bones. Not that the meat needed ripping off.
The pork was tender and juicy and was complimented well by the BBQ sauce, which had a good amount of heat but not too much.
We could have easily gone for more of them but there was a lot more to come.
Blind Jacks was full to bursting for Ribs and Racks Night, not only for the food but also there was a Rib Eating Competition being held too.
This is the first time that myself and Sarah had been to a pop up restaurant so we didn't quite know what to expect.
As the smell of the smoke from Andy's custom smoker wafted in through the open window, we were all handed our first helping of food.
These were Pork Ribs, covered in a sticky BBQ glaze.
As all of the people in the room were served, the noise of the full pub went from a loud chatter to near silence as the people started ripping the meat from the bones. Not that the meat needed ripping off.
The pork was tender and juicy and was complimented well by the BBQ sauce, which had a good amount of heat but not too much.
We could have easily gone for more of them but there was a lot more to come.
Lamb Ribs
Next to arrive was the racks of Lamb Ribs, something that we haven't tried ourselves so were eager to find out.
Most people will know if they have ever eaten a lamb that even if it is cooked slowly it will still be quite fatty, so we were not disappointed when we got our teeth into these.
The meat was super tender with hardly any fat on them at all and with the rub and glaze that had a hint of mint to it, these were simply divine.
The side of potato salad gave some non meaty goodness to the ribs too.
Next to arrive was the racks of Lamb Ribs, something that we haven't tried ourselves so were eager to find out.
Most people will know if they have ever eaten a lamb that even if it is cooked slowly it will still be quite fatty, so we were not disappointed when we got our teeth into these.
The meat was super tender with hardly any fat on them at all and with the rub and glaze that had a hint of mint to it, these were simply divine.
The side of potato salad gave some non meaty goodness to the ribs too.
No Veal
Unfortunately due to unavailability, the advertised Veal Ribs were not to be had but these had been replaced with a good portion of Pulled Pork.
This came in a serving box complete with a small helping of coleslaw.
The Pork itself was juicy and tender, with a milder sauce mixed in.
The Coleslaw was creamy and crunchy, another definite winner in the room.
Unfortunately due to unavailability, the advertised Veal Ribs were not to be had but these had been replaced with a good portion of Pulled Pork.
This came in a serving box complete with a small helping of coleslaw.
The Pork itself was juicy and tender, with a milder sauce mixed in.
The Coleslaw was creamy and crunchy, another definite winner in the room.
A Small Breather
After the Pulled Pork has been consumed it was time for the Rib eating competition.
This was between a local gentleman and one of the barmaids from Blind Jacks.
Watching them devour the racks of pork ribs and the HUGE beef rib was something else.
The competition was eventually announced a draw but congratulations has to go to both of them as what they ate in suck a short amount of time was mind blowing.
After the Pulled Pork has been consumed it was time for the Rib eating competition.
This was between a local gentleman and one of the barmaids from Blind Jacks.
Watching them devour the racks of pork ribs and the HUGE beef rib was something else.
The competition was eventually announced a draw but congratulations has to go to both of them as what they ate in suck a short amount of time was mind blowing.
Big And Beefy
Everyone returned to their tables and awaited the final part of the meaty menu, Beef Ribs.
OH MY! These were HUGE!
Everyone was wondering how they would ever begin to eat these let alone finish them as most were fairly full after the previous rounds.
Everyone returned to their tables and awaited the final part of the meaty menu, Beef Ribs.
OH MY! These were HUGE!
Everyone was wondering how they would ever begin to eat these let alone finish them as most were fairly full after the previous rounds.
MONSTROUS
The beef ribs came out in a monstrous pile, which we helped ourselves to, with each rib coated in a rich, thick and sticky sauce.
As I picked up the rib I had chosen, the bone just peeled away and I was left with a huge hunk of meat staring at me.
As I grabbed the edge of the beef it fell apart, revealing the smoke ring inside along with the rich red meat.
This was heavenly, melt in your mouth with the rich sauce adding another flavour level.
The beef ribs came out in a monstrous pile, which we helped ourselves to, with each rib coated in a rich, thick and sticky sauce.
As I picked up the rib I had chosen, the bone just peeled away and I was left with a huge hunk of meat staring at me.
As I grabbed the edge of the beef it fell apart, revealing the smoke ring inside along with the rich red meat.
This was heavenly, melt in your mouth with the rich sauce adding another flavour level.
Dessert and More
Most people could not finish their portion of the Beef Rib, but there was still more to come in the shape of hot and gooey Chocolate Brownie covered in runny cream.
This was served up to those who still had enough room and finished off the evenings menu very well indeed.
there was however an extra surprise install for Sarah as Andy had arranged for a birthday cake to be made for Sarah, and this was presented to her at the end of the evening.
(Thank you to Rebecca who made the cake, it was scrumptious)
Most people could not finish their portion of the Beef Rib, but there was still more to come in the shape of hot and gooey Chocolate Brownie covered in runny cream.
This was served up to those who still had enough room and finished off the evenings menu very well indeed.
there was however an extra surprise install for Sarah as Andy had arranged for a birthday cake to be made for Sarah, and this was presented to her at the end of the evening.
(Thank you to Rebecca who made the cake, it was scrumptious)
So, First Impressions
As we said before, this was our first Pop Up Restaurant experience, and it was a fantastic evening.
Unfortunately though, most of our BBQ friends that put on these kind of events live too far away from us so we are unable to attend these.
This evening though was just brilliant.
Andy and his team were excellent, with Paul the Chef on the go all night making sure the smokers were behaving themselves.
Pennie and Mille were like lightning food angels, delivering the mounds of ribs extremely efficiently making sure that no ones plates were empty for long.
Lastly a HUGE THANK YOU must go to Andy Annat!
THANK YOU for your generosity and making us feel extremely welcome in your home town.
We are both truly grateful are looking at how we can come back again.
As we said before, this was our first Pop Up Restaurant experience, and it was a fantastic evening.
Unfortunately though, most of our BBQ friends that put on these kind of events live too far away from us so we are unable to attend these.
This evening though was just brilliant.
Andy and his team were excellent, with Paul the Chef on the go all night making sure the smokers were behaving themselves.
Pennie and Mille were like lightning food angels, delivering the mounds of ribs extremely efficiently making sure that no ones plates were empty for long.
Lastly a HUGE THANK YOU must go to Andy Annat!
THANK YOU for your generosity and making us feel extremely welcome in your home town.
We are both truly grateful are looking at how we can come back again.
If you would like anymore information, for Andys website then please click HERE