Fresno Famous

There are a few bar-b-que restaurants reviewed here on the site. I have tried them all, and none though can compare to the food at the Doghouse Grill. I know it has turned into a college hangout and sports bar, but that is ok. The owner refuses to show ANY raiders game at any time. That makes up for it, as the raiders and all of their fans are nuisances at best, felons to be sure.

So the original bbq location that the Doghouse Grill stemmed from is the Main Street Grill in Cambria on the Central Coast. The second location is Firestone's in San Luis Obispo. The Doghouse Grill is the third location. When we were first told by the owner in CAmbria that they are opening a location by Fresno State, I almost wept with joy. I no longer had to drive to the coast for bbq. Although it took a little of the romance away, the new 7 minute drive from my NE Clovis home would make up for it.

Anyway, to the food...

Real smoked BBQ with an amazing sauce. That is what BBQ is all about. You can see the smoker and the grill smoke from far away. You can smell the thing from even farther away. They take their time in cooking. The baby back ribs are to die for, as is the tri-tip sandwich. The best I have ever had. Period. The sauce is sweet and tangy, and not too complicated. Simple is always better. The tri-tip tacos are decent, as is the homemade salsa, but I am not there to eat a taco. Also, the hamburgers are pretty good, but you can get one that is five-fold better at Colorado Grill around the coner at Willow and Barstow.

The bbq beans and the seasoned skinny fried are remarkable to say the least, and you can get either ketchup, ranch, and cold or warm bbq sauce on the side for everything. I prefer the warm bbq sauce, but you have to request it from you server or the person who hands you your trays at the counter.

By the way, you can either have waiter/waitess service at the front end of the resaurant, or counter pick-up if you prefer and sit in the back half of the restaurant.

Sodas and such are free refills and one size. Genious.

There is a full bar with several specialty beers on tap (Newcastle, Fattire...).

I can get loud in there, as there are several (nine), huge plasma tv's, little or no insulation, cement floors, and a constant crowd. The best place to sit is in the back in one if the booths.

I always bet a full rack of baby backs, a tri-tip sandwich, and beans. I usually share an order of fries because it is a huge bowl full. The ribs are always meaty and tender, and the tri-tip is always sliced to perfection, tender, and flavorful.

Damn it, I am getting hungry...

Anyway, I have eaten at BBQ restaurants all over the place, and I have never had bbq like I get at the Doghouse Grill.

It seems that the populace of the greater Clovis/Fresno area agrees, because the line is always out the door for the three quick moving cash register girls.

Don't worry, the line moves quickly. Now, go and get in it!