For Santa Rosa’s newest barbecue sensation, simply follow the smoke to Blazing Saddles. The shop is hard to find, nested in a small strip mall tucked against Highway 101, but look for the cute chuck wagon converted to a barbecue. It’s parked right outside the eatery’s front door, billowing smoke as it blesses chicken, ribs, steak and hunks of pork with a luscious, crisp-charred edge and subtle oak wood flavors.
Don’t expect fancy: the shop is barebones, just six red-and-white checked oilcloth-topped tables in a cowboy theme of wagon wheels and lariats. And, actually, don’t expect a whole lot of barbecue. The ‘cue comes from the Corsi family, Sonoma caterers since 2005, and much of the menu is basic crowd-pleaser, like a veggie wrap, fish and chips, or breakfast sandwiches served all day. For a taste of both worlds, try the terrific Cuban torta mounded with pulled pork, ham and cheddar. It’s enormous, messy and marvelous.
Yet you’ll really want to hold out for the serious smoky stuff, such as dry-rub chicken lightly coated in dark, rich sauce that’s a bit more sweet than spicy. Other good choices include chewy tri-tip or pulled pork on a soft hoagie roll, or my favorite: a huge mess of St. Louis-style pork ribs so delicious I chewed each savory bit down to the bone.
Details: 821 Russell Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-528-3388, blazingsaddlesbbqandcatering.com.
