The Smokehouse of the Catskills
I was up in Bearsville, NY this weekend for a gig, and on my way back I passed by the “Smokehouse of the Catskills,” just west of Saugerties. I have driven by this place many times and have always admired the great mural on the side of the building depicting angelic pigs trumpeting their brethren to heaven.
This time I decided it was necessary for me to stop, and I was hungry and ready to see what they had to offer. I walked in the door, and realized that it was a butcher shop. It seemed like a perfectly nice butcher shop, and the people seemed friendly, but it hardly seemed like much of a smoke house. In the corner of the butcher case I saw a couple very sad little smoked chickens looking like they did not want to be eaten. Other than that there was some smoked bacon, and I am sure that was fine, but I didn’t see much else. In fact the most interesting thing I saw were some big soft “bavarian” pretzels sitting out on a table for a dollar.
I moved along, but took a couple pictures of the piggy mural, which is still tops in my book.
What a great dissapointment this must have been! All worked up for some ribs and ……… (nothing)
Keep up the quest. This is very interesting and I look forward to sampling the “best of the best” soon.
No kidding, but I got over it. The quest continues, my waistline expands….
Well, pointing out that a place that isn’t a BBQ place isn’t a very good BBQ place makes for some pretty hard-hitting commentary…
However, this place is a superb butcher shop and makes their own top notch fresh, dry cured, and smoked sausages. They don’t stop at the easy stuff. They make their own bolognas/emulsified sausages. They rock out different varieties of dry cured salamis, all excellent (i.e Soprassetta, Genoa style, dry cured, venison). Incredible ‘wursts. The aroma alone is worth a visit.
So, a certified stamp of approval from this comprehensive pig lover.
Hey, thanks for the comment. I meant no offense, I think the place just wasn’t what I expected. I mean no offense, and certainly if I lived up there I am sure I would be a regular. God bless the dry cured meats, and I am glad they are doing it, emulsified and all. I will drop in next time with a better mind for what to expect. I still like the mural a lot! Take care!