Big Mike's BBQ

What's it like?

Let me start off by saying that the current BBQ joint has nothing to do with the last BBQ guy.  He was unique.  He had "the best everything in the USA."  It was odd because I never saw any cooker going.  Oh well.  Thats why he's not there anymore.  Onward.  

Mike, or Big Mike, actually has a big smoker attached to his Yukon and wouldn't you know it he uses real wood to bbq.  Tri-tip is their specialty and that should work out because Fresno is the tri-tip capital of the world.  It's like the butchers in Kansas city were debating one day and one said, "Bil, what should we do with all this stuff.  Well, we could make ground beef or we can send it to Fresno and let them eat it with Pappy's".  I kid I kid.  I still like Tri-tip.  Big Mike also does ribs on Tuesdays and is planning to do them Friday and Saturday.  And you know what thats cool with me because he's a one man band who doesn't want to waste food and won't serve week old ribs like another BBQ place on Clovis Ave and Shaw. 

I ordered the tri-tip sandwich combo with homemade chili beans on the side.  The roll comes buttered and toasted.  The tri-tip had a good smoky flavor from the almond wood and was tender.  Can't ask for more out of tri-tip.  The chili was some of the best I've had locally. 

I order another sandwich for the wife, pulled pork with homemade macaroni salad.  Of course I tried it and actually liked the pulled pork better than the tri-tip.  Mac salad was pretty good.  Hey, as long as it's not Tony's out of the carton I'm good.  

Can't remember the exact cost but it was about $8-9 dollars for the sand, side and a drink.  For a homemade and fresh sandwich and sides, you can't go wrong. 

You'll notice I rated the ambiance a 4.  Really, its a bbq joint in an old Fotomat and the only seating is outside on a counter.  Not a big deal to me cause I can eat anywhere.  So really I rate them N/A on ambiance.