Omnivore - Community Q: setting a new standard?

A new barbecue venue in Decatur may prove to be our city’s best

God, this was good — St. Louis-style ribs, sliced brisket, collards and mac and cheese (made with rigatoni and three cheeses). It was my dinner Saturday night at the new Community Q. Wayne dined on the ribs alone and his mom ordered the pulled pork, which may be the best I’ve ever had in our city.

The restaurant is the creation of three partners — David Roberts, Jim Laber and Stuart Baesel.  All three have high-class restaurant credentials including time with Guenter Seeger at the Ritz Carlton Buckhead and Seeger’s.

I had heard that Baesel had been a pastry chef for Seeger, so I was hoping to see some interesting desserts. So far, though, dessert has been limited to banana pudding — a very good banana pudding, but not the novelty I was hoping for. I was informed that, with time, more interesting desserts will be offered. Other plans include opening for breakfast.

All of the meat we sampled was tender, slightly smoky with some crispiness to blackened surfaces. Two sauces are available — a vinegary one and a tomato-based one that honestly tasted to me like it contained Coca Cola. The staff assured me that it was soft-drink-free but had plenty of sugar. Although quite sweet for my taste initially, the flavor grew on me.

I’ll have more to say about this in “Grazing,” but don’t hesitate to go now. I know barbecue is controversial, but I’m betting this place will be a big hit.

Oh! Get the baked beans. They’re freakin’ amazing.

(Photos by Cliff Bostock)






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