AussomAussie Boomerang BBQ 2701 Penn Ave. Pgh This bar/restaurant occupies the place of the former Vermont Flatbread Co in the Strip. The layout is basically the same as Vermont Flatbread, but it seemed better lit than before. I was there Thursday evening at about 7:30 and the place was not busy at all. The greeter was also the server and she was not kept running. Beer: For me, this is a major consideration in a restaurant with a serious bar. There were 3 beer lists: in the menu, on a display card on the table, and written on the chalkboard behind the bar. The lists did not match each other, although the chalkboard list would be current (draft only) and without listed prices. Among the drafts were 3 Great Lakes beers (Vienna lager, porter, and seasonal Irish ale) and 2 Erie Brewing beers (red ale and pilsner). There were also a couple of megabrews. They also had about 20-25 bottled beers, but the list on the table wasn't current. Looking into the cooler, I saw Penn, Sierra Nevada, and Newcastle Brown Ale. The specialties of the menu are fancy pizzas and barbecue. There are also appetizers, salads, sandwiches, and chicken/fish/pasta entrees. We had barbecue pork ribs and beef ribs. The ribs were cooked well and the sauce was slightly sweet with no trace of heat. The sides were in little cups and you get to pick two of: baked beans, pineapple cole slaw, and cold corn and roasted red pepper salad. I was given a brochure which that the restaurant is family owned and operated and not a franchise. Still, it is part of a national chain. The brochure lists a website at: www.boomerangbbq.com In my hierarchy of local BBQ places I put it above Damon's and (well) below Buffalo Blues. Tom Wolper
Pittsburgh, PA
Boomerang BBQ - a quick review
James W. wrote: > > > On Fri, 21 Mar 2003, Tom W. wrote: > > > AussomAussie Boomerang BBQ > > 2701 Penn Ave. > > Pgh > > > > This bar/restaurant occupies the place of the former Vermont Flatbread Co in > > the Strip. The layout is basically the same as Vermont Flatbread, but it > > seemed better lit than before. I was there Thursday evening at about 7:30 > > and the place was not busy at all. The greeter was also the server and she > > was not kept running. > > > Went there last week on your recommendation. Very nice, but I didn't > experience it correctly. I walked into the middle of a beer tasting. For > a set fee we got to taste some beers new to the area and eat some food not > on the normal menu. Got to go back one of these days. > We went there months ago shortly after they opened. Had high expectations, as there is no source of real BBQ (i.e. slow smoked, rather than cooked over an open flame) here, and this place advertised that they had the real thing. The proprietor has a shelf at the front of the restaurant with large BBQ contest trophies, also encouraging. Alas, a major disappointment. I recall having the BBQ sampler, and that the meats were rather tasteless, lacking the smoky spiciness that makes well prepared BBQ such a treat. Perhaps this was still opening phase related; I'd be interested in the experience of others who have had more recent trips there . Chuck B.