Everybody Walk The Dinosaur (A second look at Dinosaur BBQ)

When the Troy branch of Dinosaur BBQ opened a few years ago I am positive I did a brief write up of the joint. Time has passed and more foods have been tried and it is just time to remind you all of how much I still love it there! Last night my family offered to take me out to a pre-birthday dinner and allowed me to pick my restaurant. Having decided that I really wanted the Dino, I was worried that at 5:45 on a Friday we would not get seated. The Dino gets so busy on weekends that a 2 hour wait is not uncommon. Other BBQ places were suggested and I declined, because I didn't want BBQ, I wanted Dino BBQ. It isn't the same as the other local joints-it is so specific that nothing else would do for me last night. So we took our chances and hopped in the car. The Dino birthday gods were looking down on us as we got one of the last open tables. We started with a round of beverages-they have a great beer selection featuring local, craft and national brands both on tap and in bottles. My husband opted for something dark and involving cherries which he declared great. I went for an Arnold Palmer-half sweet tea/half lemonade and all refreshing. They serve Boylans rootbeers/birch beers etc which was a great option for the child. The Swag Sampler Platter for two was next up-their version of a sampler platter one would find at any chain. This one comes with Fried Green Tomatoes, Creole Deviled Eggs, Cajun Shrimp, Wings. We passed on the shrimp and got more eggs. You get enough for everyone to have one of everything (except shrimp-you get two shrimp a piece...in our case we got 2 egg halves a piece). The tomatoes are green, fried crispy and have a bit of a tang to them. I have no other green tomato experience to compare them to but the soft tangy inside with the crispy outside and the cool creamy dipping sauce makes them the gold standard for any future fried greens I try. The wings can come in a variety of sauces, and we went for a medium one. Well cooked-no flabby skin on these boys! And sauced enough but not too much. Perfect amount of flavor, with mild heat. And the eggs....if I have a last supper those eggs are going to be part of it. Creole deviled eggs that make me swoon. I have tried to recreate the creamy spicy flavor of the yolk at home with no success. I could literally eat a dozen of them. For dinner we decided the bird is in fact the word. Daughter ordered from the kids menu-and I have to say at $5.99 for choice of entrees and 2 sides that is an amazing value. Her entree and side choices are all right from the adult menu and there is no skimping on quality for kids. Husband ordered the 1/2 chicken dinner with mashed potato and chopped salad. Perfectly smoky sticky bbq chicken. The gravy was slightly spicy but meaty. And salad was fresh looking with romaine, carrots and cukes. I went for the Jerked Chicken Sandwich with a side of mac n cheese. Oh yes, the Dino Mac n Cheese would also be on my last supper plate. Cheesey, creamy and a kick of spice to it there is nothing else equal to it in my eyes. The jerk chicken comes with jerk seasoned shredded chicken along with pickled onion and pepper on a sub roll. Actually not a messy sandwich to eat and full of flavor from jerk season, chicken and some mild crunch and tang from the pickled veg. Service was great, as usual. (Although I have friends who do not like the service there...) I personally would walk the Dinosaur any day of the week.