There is a BBQ spot in Richmond, Virginia we go to nearly every time we pass through the River City. It’s just off of I-95 in a revitalization zone near the old Richmond Stadium. One of the proprietors of the joint is a red headed pitmistress with a kind heart and a bacon rib the size of Texas.
That’s right. I said “bacon rib.” Ever had one? Me neither, until we pulled into ZZQ.
After eating the maple soaked pig part, I was never the same. The fact that they usually sell out of them each time they’re on the menu, and they cost about $34 each, doesn’t deter me from waiting sometimes an hour for them hoping they haven’t been 86’d by the time I get to the counter. The truth is, I’d pay $50 for one of them and I would wait even longer. They’re literally a piece of hog heaven right here on God’s green Earth.
ZZQ opens at 11 a.m. If you can get there between then and 11:30 a.m. you should be good. You will be able to choose between all of the wonderful meat delicacies they offer without any fear they will be gone by the time you actually get to place an order. You will have your choice of traditional pulled pork, beef brisket, sausage, and smoked turkey almost any day of the week. However, Sundays usually offer up something extra special to die for, like Prime Rib by the pound or sometimes even Fred Flintstone sized beef ribs.
If you arrive after this early opening window, you are going to wait in line, so prepare for it. People wait in the rain. People wait with crying children. People wait hungover. People wait during hurricanes. People wait for as long as two hours. I have even seen people pay other people to wait in line for them. Many times “Red” is at the front of the line opening the door for the next customers to get inside to wait some more and she sometimes has a good story or two to share.
Once, while in line, we saw two polar opposites within steps of each other waiting for ZZQ. There was a man in a Rolls Royce parked at the entrance of the door and what appeared to be a homeless man waiting (and smoking) just ahead of us. The man in the Rolls Royce was talking on his phone and the homeless man kept getting out of line and going up to the driver’s side window of the Rolls Royce and knocking on it telling the man inside something each time.
Our family was watching this with fascination trying to figure out how these two men knew each other. To be honest, my Dad radar was going off a little bit because the seemingly homeless man was just blazing through unfiltered brown cigarette after cigarette while he was in line, blowing smoke in every direction including in our faces. We were close enough to him to see that his teeth were in a terrible way and he seemed very unsteady. He had the twitches and reminded me of the crack addicted Dave Chapelle character Tyrone Biggums that used to scratch his neck all the time and deliver anti-drug messages to school children.
When we finally got to the door, the man in the Rolls Royce got out of his car, walked over to the homeless man in front of us, put his arm around him, and said something to him. Immediately, the homeless man took off down the street. I just shook my head thinking, this is a wild world where a man will get a homeless person to wait in line for him for some BBQ.
Well, this is why we TRY not to judge folks no matter what our first impressions might be. You NEVER know what someone is going through or what someone’s story might be.
As we finally got our food and sat down to eat, we saw the Rolls Royce man at a table by himself suddenly joined by the homeless man and they began to eat together. We strained to hear their conversation, and when we did, we heard the homeless man calling the Rolls Royce man, Dad. As we walked by them, hearing the man call him Dad several more times and seeing them interact with each other, we wanted to know more. Was the “son” in fact his son, and was he even homeless? We would never know.
Now, when you que up at ZZQ you are just as likely to run into college students from VCU as you are members of motorcycle clubs and visitors from out of state. ZZQ’s reputation goes far and wide. We have eaten at many BBQ places across the country, but none come close to the flavor and deliciousness of ZZQ. And, that applies to everything on the menu.
Their sides like big old butterbeans, jalapeno mac and cheese, cucumber salad, pureed potatoes, buttermilk potato salad, tomato pie, and unique slaw are not really accompaniments; you could go to ZZQ just for the sides. The brewed sweet tea and the Mexican Coca Colas in the glass bottles make each meal perfect.
If, somehow, some way, you make it through all the meat and sides and still have room for dessert, look out for the pecan pie, banana pudding, and Texas sheet cake. Grab them while you can. When you’re stuffed and ready to roll, take a stroll by the James River and walk it off.
Or better yet, drive on over to the Edgar Allan Poe Museum and walk through all the rooms to work off those calories. October is a great time to check out ZZQ and visit the home of one of Richmond’s most famous residents.
Trust me, when I tell you, if you’re feeling weak and weary, go to ZZQ and you’ll see clearly. Its tastes are not forgotten lore, they remain with you forever, and nothing more.
And any other BBQ joints who come knocking at your door, go to them, NEVERMORE!