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Ugly Dog Saloon
Warehouse District & Center City: 401 Andrew Higgins Blvd. 504-569-8459. Map.
Very Casual
AE DC DS MC V
Website
WHY IT'S NOTEWORTHY
As the name implies, the Ugly Dog is at least as much a watering hole as it is a restaurant. Despite that, their barbecue must be taken seriously. It’s smoky and good, and served with good sides at prices that seem absurdly cheap. For less than $10, you can get a platter of brisket, pork, or chicken with a couple of side dishes, all prepared on site.
WHAT'S GOOD
Barbecue is a simple proposition. Either it's smoky and tender or it's not. The sauce and sides are an add-on. Ugly Dog has it down, with flavors on the sharp side. The platters are generous. The cole slaw is fascinating, sauced with a sort of peanut-sesame-oil kind of mystery sauce that I find really great. The chili beans are firm and cooked with fresh tomato and onion.
BACKSTORY
Co-owner Joe Shackleton left the swanky Windsor Court Hotel in 1996 to open, far downscale, this appropriately rough-edged barbecue joint in the middle of the Warehouse District. Little did he know that the World War II Museum and the expansion of offices and apartments in the area would bring a great crowd in for lunch, and then later for dinner and drinking. The barbecue has been good since day one.
DINING ROOM
Perfect in the Warehouse District, the interior looks like a warehouse, but darker. The action is almost always concentrated around the bar. The place stays open until the wee hours.
ESSENTIAL DISHES
Starters & Sides
»House salad, topped (or not) with barbecue meats.
»Cole slaw
Potato salad
»Au gratin potatoes
Smoked baked potato
»Chili with beans
Macaroni and cheese
Sandwiches
»Pulled pork or brisket sandwich
Hamburger (several variations)
»Roast beef poor boy
BLT poor boy
»Cuban sandwich
Smoked sausage sandwich
Hot dog
Entrees
»Barbecue brisket platter
»Pulled pork platter
»Rotisserie chicken platter
»Pork spare ribs platter
»Barbecue sausage, Cajun hot or hickoryu
Desserts
»Bread pudding, run sauce
FOR BEST RESULTS
Come with a bunch of friends, or with the intention of making some new ones.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT
The food comes out too quickly, giving the impression that they want you to move on (which is not the case).
FACTORS OTHER THAN FOOD
Up to three points, positive or negative, for these characteristics. Absence of points denotes average performance in the matter.
- Dining Environment -1
- Consistency +1
- Service+1
- Value +2
- Attitude +2
- Wine & Bar
- Hipness +1
- Local Color +1
SPECIAL ATTRIBUTES
- Live music some nights
- Open Sunday lunch and dinner
- Open Monday lunch and dinner
- Open after 10 p.m.
- Open all afternoon
- Unusually large servings
- Quick, good meal
- Easy, nearby parking
- No reservations
