by Susie Timm, Head Cheese
It’s been awhile since a new restaurant opening has moved me. Don’t get me wrong, great restaurants open monthly in AZ. I’ve just been on a hiatus for awhile. A much needed, cook-at-home hiatus.
I received an invite however, from a new gas station/gourmet market/car wash/BBQ bistro and it peaked my interest so much that I took them up on their kind offer to feed me smoked meat.
Girl meets BBQ in a gas station. Enter: Campfire Bistro at Tom’s Thumb Fresh Market.
An interesting concept really–create a gourmet market in a pretty swank area of town inside a really shiny and new gas station and oh yea, add a BBQ restaurant.
The Campfire Bistro’s menu is pretty simple, breakfast (basic but featuring breakfast tacos, a big plus), lunch and dinner consisting of sandwiches, soups, salads and of course BBQ.
They make a slew of house-made BBQ sauces–most notable the Low Country, South Carolina and Chipotle.
I am however going to rant and rave about something I wish I had thought of. BRISKET TACOS. Yes, two of the nation’s perfect foods have been combined to create this 8th wonder of the world.
Served on flour tortillas with purple cabbage and cojita cheese, the brisket tacos should be added to the superfood list. I think I could win some sort of taco-eating-contest with these bad boys.
They also offer a brisket quesadilla situation that I am looking forward to sinking my BBQ-loving teeth into.
Let’s face it, I’m pretty picky about BBQ. I am not an “expert” but I have eaten enough competition level Q that I feel as though I am capable of judging flavor, smokiness, tenderness etc.
The Q at Campfire Bistro at Tom’s Thumb is good. It’s moving towards great. The brisket is great–the pork and chicken have been dry on both visits and they don’t serve ribs yet so I can’t make a full assessment.
However, that being said. Go there. Now. Order the Brisket Tacos and slop on some N. Carolina sauce. It will be a moment to savor for the summer. I hope it’s your favorite meal to kick OFF the summer.
As a side note (literally and figuratively) the mac-n-cheese is good enough to compete in my next Mac & Cheese Throwdown (October 2012) event and the fries are thin, extra crispy and delectable.
You can read more about this creative food endeavor by clicking here. But for reals. Go now. Get some tacos. A very, very wise decision. (PS. I brought my husband back tonight so he could experience the joy–he’s hooked!)
