Backwoods BBQ

Backwoods BBQ
4300 Green River Road
Corona, CA

Did you ever throw a backyard barbeque where everything just came together perfectly? The meat was sublime, you ate it hot, and you didn't think meat could taste any better? Me neither. But Steve Nolan serves up this sought-after dream daily at Backwoods BBQ. This slightly out of the way goldmine is well worth your attention for lunch or dinner. It's not so hard to find (Green River exit off the 91), it has something for everyone, and the owner is mastering a craft that few people can.

When I first walked in, I immediately felt like Fred Flintstone when he catches a waft of an irresistible aroma in the air and begins to follow it. No matter what you order, you'll have that sensory confidence that it's going to be good. This is a casual place with some very serious Texas-Style Barbeque going on. This kind of barbeque relies heavily upon the preparation of the meat and the grilling technique. It does not find safety or forgiveness behind some thick sauce. This is where the craft comes in. These meats are perfectly marinated. The chicken is even tumbled. The fire is outside, behind the restaurant, and all meats are cooked and/or
smoked over mesquite wood. Fortunately for all, the fire pits are mobile and Backwoods can cater for events large or small. Catering is actually how the company began, and it's still a big part of what they do.

It is meat that I tell you what's good here. Your chicken won't be dry—it is arguably the most impressive chicken breast in town. I found it to be moist and tender, with a distinct mesquite barbeque flavor. It puts a swift end to dull white meat. The St. Louis Style Ribs are excellent. They're great before you add the sauce, as are the Pork Spare Ribs. The Smoked Kilbasa Sausage was one of my very favorites. My internal delicious meter (or IDM) kept taking me back for another bite between each new thing I was supposed to try. The strong, full flavor is
outstanding. It's a perfect compliment to anything else you'll order. The tender and flavorful Carne Asada is way up there, too. It's a favorite among locals for good reason. New items? Try the Carnitas. They are incredibly moist. I say they're one of the best offerings on the board.

Helping you in what could otherwise be a difficult decision, the menu mercifully offers you some BBQ combination entrees. It is not easy to visit this restaurant and have only one kind of meat. Go combo. Owner Steve Nolan takes great care to serve the right-sized cuts of meat. This principle seems to apply both to the grilling size as well as the generous serving sizes. To compliment your meats (since I told you to go combo), there are plenty of wonderful sides to choose from. You'll find potatoes, corn, beans, cole slaw, green salads and even a potato salad better than your mom's.

Backwoods BBQ has a welcome family style to it. There are video and vending games for the kids, as well as TV screens for the adults. A couple of pool tables can be found toward the back, too, if you are so inclined. Live local bands appear on Friday and Saturday nights.

The barbequed meats here are some of the best-cooked and tastiest I have ever had. What's great about this place is that you don't have to dress up, get a sitter, or buff your car with hi-gloss wax to spend an evening here. This is a place to relax and let someone else get smoke in their eyes. There's only a short wait for your food, so crack open some appetizer peanuts and, well, let the shells fall where they may.

Ryan Keane writes exclusively for MyCityCorona.com

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