MacQue's BBQ

I rarely do single restaurant features but I visited this place on Wednesday for lunch and I thought I needed to give it a shout out. I joined a friend of mine. She owns what is probably the most popular bakery in Sacramento. Someone had told her to go to this place so when she invited me I said, "Heck yes!" We had a great meal and got to talk to the owner at length.

MacQue's is a no nonsense bbq joint with a simple menu. He does ribs, brisket, chicken, hot links, pull pork, and the like. The sides are all down home too: mac and cheese, greens, rolls, and muffins. It is located in an industrial part of South Sacramento in a non-descript strip warehouse area that we almost missed. But good lord almighty am I glad we didn't. We shared a half slab of pork ribs, a beef brisket sandwich, mac and cheese, and greens. It was finger lickin' good. Seriously, best ribs I've had in a very long time. I don't eat bbq often, but every few months when I decide to, I'm going back to MacQue's.

The owner was talking about how lately they've seen a 20% decline in business. He has lived in town for over 45 years, and has had the business for about 26. It's the places like these that I want to get everyone out supporting. So many people won't leave the "grid" to support real family owned amazing joints like MacQue's. We need to fix this.

He has quite an extensive knowledge about the food scene in the area. We talked about some our favorite old places that are declining or closing as the kids of the original owners let the places go to pot. He himself encouraged his son to get an education, so now his son doesn't want to come back and work the 16 hour days it takes to run a successful restaurant. I thought that was a shame. I encouraged him to find someone who loved the place who he could train to take over. It would be a cryin' ass shame to see this place go away. So many of my favorite small places have been going the way of the dinosaur lately.

So if you live in the Sacramento area, or if you are planning a visit, stop by MacQue's. Tell him the lady who was fond of Zelda's, and Palermo who came with Marlene sent ya. You will not be disappointed.

I was excited to hear that even though the restaurant business is going down, his bbq sauce line is doing awesome. It's good sauce. Here is a link to their site where pretty soon you can order the sauce online: MacQue's BBQ

It is really important to me that we keep places like this doing well and support the folks who have been feeding people for decades around town. Please support MacQue's. Not like after you see a picture like the one below, you really need my convincing.

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