Punk's Backyard Grill, "Backyard Cookout" Concept in Annapolis Mall - Closed

[synaesthesia]

At least from what I can tell this place is a BBQ spot. They're blogging their whole planning process and preparation for opening here. Pretty smart idea.

[synaesthesia]

Might want to fix that first menu page PDF. Last I checked it didn't work =p.

[Sthitch]

One thing we've always noticed about BBQ places is that they're often smoky and saucy, not necessarily a vision of freshness.

Apparently you have been visiting the wrong kind of BBQ places.

[ol_ironstomach]

While we have nothing against BBQ, we wanted to clarify that we’re not actually a BBQ restaurant. We are focusing on fresh grilled meats off the grill, freshly prepared sides and salads.

Maybe it's just me, but with BBQ pork featuring on 2 of 7 sandwiches, and as the primary red protein option on for topping 3 out of 5 salads, not to mention the smoker section, it sure reads like a BBQ menu. And with location #1 under construction, can the BBQ sauce and poultry rub really be "famous" already? But you do get brownie points for taking the correct stance on the grilling vs barbeque distinction. And especially for Cheerwine.

And yet, the menu seems...awfully safe, if not mundane. The choices sound a lot more Ozzie & Harriet than like any of my backyard cookouts. No non-sliced steak options? How about brats? Lamb chops? Grilled pizza? Where's the excitement?

[mame11]

So, I have been thinking about this Punk's Backyard Grill thread. The comment the owners of Punk's made about BBQ restaurants being unclean, serving not the freshest food, has really been gnawing at me. I know many BBQ shops from the Carolinas to the Delta that serve delicious, fresh food in clean environments. The owners of the joints off the highway that serve their local communities as well as tourists take as much pride in their restaurants and food as I'm sure the founders of Punk's do, or rather will.

I also know many people who compete in BBQ contests from Texas to New York, including the Pork BBQ Contest in Memphis, before declaring their recipes award winning. It is arrogant to declare a recipe "world famous" or even "famous" before it has even been served to the public.

But, maybe Punk's is run by a bunch of punks. I do love how they are trolling the Internet months in advance of opening to make a name for themselves. I hope the food lives up the hype.

In the meantime, I'll take a mom and pop genuine BBQ restaurant over a pre-fabricated wannabe any day.

Nancy

p.s. maybe you all should take a tour of BBQ shops in the South.. you'd be amazed at what you can learn talking to the Pitmasters.

[ol_ironstomach]

So, I have been thinking about this Punk's Backyard Grill thread. The comment the owners of Punk's made about BBQ restaurants being unclean, serving not the freshest food, has really been gnawing at me.

I don't think he (?) said anything about BBQ being unclean, but rather that it's not a preparation that screams "fresh"...in the sense that it's not far removed from the raw meat. And he's right, in a sense: great 'que isn't sushi, great 'que shouldn't resemble raw meat, great 'que can't be rushed. And Punk's isn't trying to be a great 'que stop.

p.s. maybe you all should take a tour of BBQ shops in the South.. you'd be amazed at what you can learn talking to the Pitmasters.

I'm tryin' my best. Here's Rick, senior pitmaster at Lexington BBQ #1, proudly displaying a batch of his handiwork last month. And yeah, it was pretty darn tasty right off the pit. Browns...gotta remember to ask for browns.

[Sthitch]

What started as a pretentious bang appears to have evolved into a rather pedestrian effort. First dropping any and all smoked meats (along with the "world famous" rubs and sauces), and choosing a suburban mall location over an urban one. And then following the tried and true chain ideals of serving food that is "influenced" by every and any cuisine that the chef/consultants can dream of. Does "Fire Brushed Flat Iron Steak With Salsa Fresca and Cilantro Crème Fraiche", or "Thai Flank Steak - Bibb Lettuce, Roasted Peanuts, Scallions, Torn Basil, Oranges, and Sweet Ginger-Chili Dressing" really belong on the same menu with "skillet cobbler" and "Slow Roasted Pulled Pork Topped with Cole Slaw, Garden Tomato, and Dijonnaise"? Dijonnaise? Why not just Miracle Whip?

I am sure that the new Annapolis Mall location will provide a higher volume of customers, and in the end they may indeed put out good food, but frankly I am not counting on that.

[Keithstg]

What started as a pretentious bang appears to have evolved into a rather pedestrian effort. First dropping any and all smoked meats (along with the "world famous" rubs and sauces), and choosing a suburban mall location over an urban one. And then following the tried and true chain ideals of serving food that is "influenced" by every and any cuisine that the chef/consultants can dream of. Does "Fire Brushed Flat Iron Steak With Salsa Fresca and Cilantro Crème Fraiche", or "Thai Flank Steak - Bibb Lettuce, Roasted Peanuts, Scallions, Torn Basil, Oranges, and Sweet Ginger-Chili Dressing" really belong on the same menu with "skillet cobbler" and "Slow Roasted Pulled Pork Topped with Cole Slaw, Garden Tomato, and Dijonnaise"? Dijonnaise? Why not just Miracle Whip?

I am sure that the new Annapolis Mall location will provide a higher volume of customers, and in the end they may indeed put out good food, but frankly I am not counting on that.

"Hand Sliced" Flat Iron Steak?? How else would it be sliced? Menu sounds like a bunch of marketing MBA's decided to open a restaurant "concept" and make it scalable/ franchise- ready. Oh, wait....

[DonRocks]

Punk's Backyard Grill is now open in Annapolis Mall.

[rbh]

Checked the place out last night. As has been mentioned above, the concept seems to have scaled back a bit (see menu). It's now an--order at the counter, get a number, and they bring the food out to you--place. I had the chicken skewers which came on a salad; mrs rbh-to-be had the grilled asparagus salad with a chicken skewer. The food was well prepared... though perhaps a bit heavy on the dressing for the salad. Boylen's soda fountain, handful of fruity type mixed drinks (rum punch, vodka lemonade, among others), beers such as Blue Moon.

The place is not a destination restaurant by any stretch of the imagination... though if you're in the mall and want a bite to eat, it's definitely a good option and fills a nice void between the food court and the higher end places at the mall. I'm a bit surprised that the place only has an external entrance and no direct entrance to the mall... I'd think this is a place that'd benefit from mall foot traffic. The look and feel of the place would lead one to believe that it's a chain.... talking to annapolis friends later that evening about the place, they were surprised it was a local restaurant instead of a chain. Definitely kid-friendly.

[ktmoomau]

For Annapolis, I actually like this place a good bit. I am a little surprised it is in the mall, had it gone into one of the downtown spaces it would have done so well. But the grill with all the building that have burnt in downtown recently may not have been a great idea...

I thought the asparagus salad, mac and cheese and steak were all really good. I also thought the potato salad was really good. I stole a bite of the rosemary lamb skewer that was a little tougher, but still good. Especially for Annapolis. Will definitely go back with the Momma when I go to visit. Also it is nice to have a couple other places int he mall that serve alcoholic beverages as California Pizza Kitchen used to be packed for that reason. I appreciate the simple menu actually. It is something there isn't a lot of in Annapolis, actually- simple grilled meats with fresh salads and tasty sides.

[ktmoomau]

Have been back to Punk's a couple times recently as we can have the dog on the shady patio and it is right near the PetSmart where he goes to the doctor (don't ask why we take our dog all the way to Annapolis for the vet, long story). The past two times I have had the skinny chicken sandwich which has terrayaki sauce and a light herb sauce. The bun they serve the sandwiches on is very good and the lettuce, tomato and onion are always fresh. I like the skewer of cherry tomatoes on the side of each sandwich. It is often hard to find ripe tomatoes in restaurants, but here they are. Hubby had a pulled pork sandwich that I had a bite of and really enjoyed. Better than most of the pulled pork in our area as it was tender juicy with great flavor. Had sides of mixed greens which were nice, but getting a little bitter, due to all the heat, I am sure. We also had their red potato salad which I love. It doesn't have too much mayo or mustard to be offensive, but is enough to give it great flavor. I also like that they smash the potatoes a bit. They have Boylan's sodas on fountain which I really like too. I keep thinking what location in Arlington that this place should go in to. I think it would do really well there.

[ktmoomau]

Went again. I had the Thai salad with steak. Hubby had the steak sandwich. Big portion with nicely grilled, but not overcooked steak. I stole all his mushrooms and onions and added them to my salad. I really liked the salad although it had way too much dressing. It was great dressing, but way too much. So you may ask that they go light or put it on the side.

Hubby had mac and cheese which was ok. But he said not even close to as good as the potato salad.

[ktmoomau]

Saturday night I went all in here and ordered a burger with bun (my stomach thanked me for the gluten in it's usual way, but it might have been worth it). I qualify this statement with the fact that it has been some time since my last hellburger and I haven't been to BGR yet. BUT in comparison to many other haute burgers in the area, they definitely are in the competition. The bun was excellent, soft, but held together with great texture not dry, not gummy, not too dense. The burger was seasoned well and cooked to medium as requested. The mushrooms, gorgonzola, lettuce and tomato were all fresh and provided good crunch, but didn't make it too overwhelmingly juicy to eat with the hands.

I got my normal order of favorite cold potato salad ever. And we got the tomato, mozz salad which again was really good. Nice slices of fresh mozarella, not pre-cut. Flavorful and ripe tomatoes with nice balsamic and olive oil and salt that has to be sea salt.

I also had part of key lime pie (really pretty much the whole thing as my husband wasn't wowed by it, but I really liked it. Not as good as Ray's the Steaks key lime pie, but good. Nice and tart, crust was very soft though in a way I liked, Hubby didn't. But I liked the flavors. It was a little messy, not real firm. Nice whipped cream, I wouldn't be surprised to find out they whip their own cream, as it certainly didn't taste like most spray or container whipped creams.

Brought some friends who hadn't been there and we all had a nice time and didn't have to wait at the horrendous lines caused by all the Navy/Wake folks going out to all the sit down places. Seriously people- Clarendon, Ballston next location.

[DMcCabe]

Just to let you all know, Punk's is now offering 35+ bottled beers focusing mainly on American craft producers and Belgians. You can check out our updated list here - Punk's Beverage List. The beers are $3 during happy hour which runs from 3pm-6pm Mon - Fri. And in case it isn't obvious, for full disclosure, I work at Punk's

[ktmoomau]

Looking at this thread- I am to Punk's as Dan is to American Flatbread I suppose.

I had another great meal here two weekends ago. I took my Mom and friend Maria. I had a steak skewer with side of potato salad. The steak skewers were well seasoned and cooked, not tough and still juicy. Served with a nicely dressed plate of greens which I liked. I liked the salsa and cream served with it, the cream was actually quite addictive.

As normal I loved the potato salad. I normally don't really like potato salad at all and I can't really figure out why I am so addicted to this one.

[will_5198]

It is something there isn't a lot of in Annapolis, actually- simple grilled meats with fresh salads and tasty sides.

Exactly. Amidst the food court wares and surrounding army of franchise outposts, Punk's remains a bright spot whenever I'm in the Annapolis Mall area.

The burger and pulled pork sandwich are both reliable options, done simply and with more care than many casual eateries. Love the little tomato skewers and arugula they serve on the side -- a fresh, nice touch. As for the potato salad, I'm a fan but a lot of friends don't care for it as much (although potato salad is one of those foods everyone is *particular* about).

Probably my favorite aspect of Punk's, however, is the beer selection. You can drink surprisingly well here, with a bottled selection that far outpaces any surrounding restaurant (the T.G.I. Friday's conundrum: Miller Lite, Bud Light or Heineken?). The only fault is that I always overlook the Boylan fountain sodas because of the beer choices.

Anyway, highest recommendation if you're doing some shopping or going to a movie in Annapolis. It's saved me from many trips to Panda Express and Outback Steakhouse.

[SeanMike]

Looking at this thread- I am to Punk's as Dan is to American Flatbread I suppose.

So it's going out of business?

I KID! I KID!

stays out of the Bawlmore threads from now on

[ktmoomau]

So it's going out of business?

I KID! I KID!

stays out of the Bawlmore threads from now on

It better or not or I will probably cry. I am really hoping it does well so it can expand, it would be perfect in Ballston or Old Town. But I REALLY wish they would put one at Deep Creek Lake.

[rbh]

and they're closed, as of Jan 6...... sadly, I'm not kidding.