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2 Old Crows and A Hen Country Style BBQ - CLOSED
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
4 reviews for 2 Old Crows and A Hen Country Style BBQ
4 reviews in English
-
Review from Omid T.
1/2/2008
So after reading *one of* the other five-star reviews for this joint, it seemed necessary to make a detour to Oakville during a recent road trip.
And I can confidently endorse that *other* five-star review's assessment that these are the absolute best BBQ ribs in the world. But beyond that, these may damn well be the healthiest BBQ ribs in the world. At least by measure of what's NOT in 'em.
I was digging into the greens alongside my plate of 'Cue, an orgasmic look on my face accompanied by the requisite "Oh!"s and "Damn!"s and "Yeeeeeeaaaaaaah!"s.
"You like those greens?" the owner asked, a satisfied smile on his face.
"These are probably the best greens I've ever had, sir," I replied between grunts and slurps and other primordial sounds.
"There's no salt in 'em. It's all herbs."
"Whatever herb you use, I don't care if it's legal..."
"No, sir, no salt in my food at all. And the meat? Smoked through and through. You taste that?"
"Hell YES, I taste that. This meat's spent a lot of time in the smoker. And your sauce... damn, it's got a bite!"
"You like that bite?"
*grunt* *slurp* "Yessss..."
"That's not vinegar, you know..."
"It's not? It's sure got that bite like vinegar. What is it?"
"It's my secret ingredient. I don't use vinegar. Just more herbs..."
"Are you kidding me? This is seriously the best barbecue ever. EVER. E-VAR."
Normally I'd be wracking my brain to figure out or just guess what exotic herb he's smuggled in from Georgia swamp - but I was just too damn busy enjoying the food.
"Ok," he said with a sly smile. "I'll tell you what's in the sauce..."
I looked up eagerly, but not so much that I didn't stop eating.
"It's ---------."
"You're kidding!" I exclaimed between bites. "That's it? You seriously use ----------!? That's brilliant! Aww, man, no wonder it's so good. Who would've guessed?"
Unfortunately for you, gentle reader, I have too much respect for the man and his barbecue to reveal the secret ingredient. I had to drive over 700 miles and detour 12 miles on a dark, unlit country road just to find out for myself... and you'll have to do the same.
2 Old Crows and a Hen is worthy of the pilgrimage. -
Review from Alannah T.
10/30/2007
A little quiz for you:
Where can you find the ABSOLUTE BEST BBQ RIBS IN THE WORLD?
A. Memphis, TN
B. Texas
C. Kansas City
D. Somewhere South of the Mason-Dixon Line
E. At the Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-off in Reno, NV
F. Oakville, WA
If you did not select "F. Oakville, WA" don't feel too bad - until recently I wouldn't have selected it either. Actually, I probably would have LAUGHED at the mere suggestion of not just GOOD BBQ but BEST IN THE WORLD BBQ residing anywhere in Washington State.
Now, however, I'm writing Alton Brown DEMANDING that he IMMEDIATELY direct his cruising motorcycle to the Northwest. I'm sending Bobby Flay emails DARING him to man up and THROW DOWN. AND, dear review reader, I'm sending you a MESSAGE.
GO EAT HERE!
The Food: SMOKEY, CRAZY TENDER and almost FALLING OFF THE BONES pork ribs are SLATHERED in a THICK, RICH, SWEET, TANGY, SPICY, SMOKEY sauce (but not TOO sweet and not TOO spicy). The menu also has beef ribs, BBQ pork sandwiches, BBQ chicken, etc. As for sides, the macaroni and cheese was nothing to write home about - kind of standard and bland - but personally, when we're talking RIBS of this caliber, the mac and cheese could be mac and Velveeta and I'd be ok.
The Decor: This place is TINY - maybe four tables total. It's authentic down home decor - cozy, comfortable and clean. It's also full of locals who are MORE than happy to tell you how much they love, Love, LOVE 2 Old Crows and A Hen. They'll also give you that "you ain't from around here" vibe if you're not from around Oakville (and they can tell) but it's the friendly and curious version not the "we don't take kindly to your kind around here" version.
The Staff: Friendly people who LOVE what they do (which, btw, is making AMAZING BBQ - the LOVE is IN the FOOD. TRUST ME!!! You can TASTE it). The chef (cook? miracle worker?) actually came out of the tiny kitchen to personally give me my ribs and looked kind of disappointed when I said I couldn't stay to eat them there. The man takes great pride in his craft.
Other Useful Info: While I would recommend eating in the restaurant (it's cute & cozy, the other diners are really friendly, the staff is AWESOME, you'll need LOTS of napkins, etc.) they also have a DRIVE-THROUGH WINDOW.
Ok, I'm sure there are skeptics out there who are checking my profile and thinking, "How the hell would you know from good BBQ?"
Ok, YES, I'm from Washington State and YES, I live in San Francisco. However, due to having fabulous friends in fabulous places, I've eaten ribs (I'm talking legitimate BBQ pork ribs) in: Texas, Louisiana, North Carolina, Memphis, and Florida.
I also got a second opinion from a dedicated rib aficionado (and world traveler). I saved some of my ribs from 2 Old Crows for Mr. Fabulous (he of the annual trek to Reno for the Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-off). 24 hours after I purchased these ribs, Mr. Fabulous tasted one and declared them to be the ABSOLUTE BEST BBQ RIBS IN THE WORLD. Then he had what sounded like sex with the rest (but it was just eating - VERY happy eating).
The restaurant is right on Hwy. 12 leading to and from the Olympic National Park (for my fellow Californians). It wouldn't kill you to just make a vacation out of it. You'll thank me later.
For you locals (I'm talking to you happy and friendly Oakville family) - keep on doing what you've been doing: enjoying the BEST BBQ RIBS IN THE WORLD! -
Review from Dead M.
Seattle, WA
6/13/2010
Um not sure with you guys but I just drove past this place on the 10th of June 2010 and guess what? It's closed down and now turned into a cheap mexican hole in the wall.
Sorry to spill the beans, but the BBQ if bankrupt.
bummer i wanted to try it. -
Review from Cheryl G.
Seattle, WA
3/11/2010
I must admit...I'm not giving my review based on the ribs.
I haven't had the ribs, but after reading the other 2 reviews (not to mention standing in the room while waiting for my order to be ready and smelling the delightful aromas wafting from the kitchen) I think I need to remedy this. Because they certainly taste fantastic.
So why 5 stars? Why?
Because OMG they make some of the best greens I've ever had. Yes ,I know. I'm from WA. I get it, it's cool...but I have family from the south. And they've made me greens. I've had friends from the south, they made me more greens. I've greened myself up at Catfish Corner...and just about anywhere else that servers them.
And this place, makes fantastic Greens.
How fantastic? Well, my mother and I will pull off our 3 hour commute to Thanksgiving Dinner to pick up a big ole heaping pile of them to eat on the way down.
That's right, I ruined my thanksgiving dinner for greens. And it was worth it...who cares about mashed potatos and turkey when you can have the green stuff???
But you know what...I did the same thing for Christmas. And that meant I had less room for the Prime Rib. Still worth it...
