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OK, French Quarters BBQ isn't a hot dog stand, as they serve full-service barbecue on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from the friendly confines of Joseph's Aubtion Yard, in stark contrast to their well-known and unfriendly neighbor, Denio's, across the street. But Greg Bumpers, who is the chief cook and bottle washer at French Quarters BBQ and Soul Food does grill Lousiana-style hot links, so what the heck? Soul food... hot dogs... whatever you want to call it, it all makes for good eatin'...
Photo: If you like smoke, just look for the smoker, as French Quarters BBQ and Soul Food uses an old-fashioned smoker to cook their food - the way it should be. Greg and his business partner Shawn operate their barbecue joint three days a week, and do everything by hand, the old fashioned way. Don't even look for a computerized cash register, as even the money is handled the way it used to be, back in the heyday of Route 66. The hot links are cooked on a charcoal-fired grill/smoker, and the sides are made inside, by hand. No, the Sysco truck doesn't make a stop at French Quarters BBQ, as everything is done by hand, made from fresh ingredients that are on hand, in-house. Greg and Shawn are local folks, and French Quarters BBQ is not a chain; it's a Roseville original. Late Saturday morning, October 9, 2010, I found myself at French Quarters BBQ and Soul Food, and decided to order a hot link sandwich, with a side of potato salad, which is the closest thing to a hot dog that they have on their menu. Greg Bumpers, the friendly owner of the business, cooked the hot link before my eyes, and actually called me by name, as he remembered my from my previous visit, nearly six weeks ago. Like usual, we talked about football, particularly the New Orleans Saints, as Greg is a Louisiana guy, and my oldest daughter, Jackie, is a HUGE Saints fan, so Greg and I had a lot to talk about while my hot link was grilling.
Photo: Greg cleans the gril on his Weber kettle grill, before placing tri-tip on it, for another order.
Photo: Greg Bumpers maniupulates my quarter pound hot link on the grill. Greg is a firm believer in charcoal as he claims wood does not add flavor. What can I add, except his barbecue is delicious!!! For only $4.00 you get a quarter pound hot link, cooked before your eyes over a charcoal grill, placed on a large, fresh bun, and one side dish of your choice. Choices include potato salad, jambalaya or barbecue beans, but for me the selection is easy, as I go for the potato salad, as French Quarters BBQ makes some of the best potato salad that I've ever tasted. Editor's Note: I'd walk many miles to enjoy their potato salad, as it's that good... Greg cooked my hot link before my eyes, and when it was finished, brought it inside the kitchen, and just as I was enjoying me second beer, Stacy placed it on the table before me, complete with a delicious side of potato salad. I can't and won't spend lots of time describing my hot link, but I will make a few comments: Good. Juicy. Filling. Fresh. Good value. French Quarters BBQ and Soul Food makes good barbecue and a great hot link sandwich!
Photo: My lunch of a quarter pound hot link, and a side of some of the best potato salad that I've ever had the pleasure of eating for lunch.
Photo: The "weed gal," Angela, with her dog, "Trouble," who proved to be an interesting early lunch companion. She claimed that she was attracted to me because I was drinking from a tall can or Coors beer. Hmmmmm...... An interesting note is as I was sitting on one of the picnic tables, in front of French Quarters, enjoying my hot link sandwich, I was approached by a hippie gal, by the name of Angela, along with her small rat-dog, "Trouble," who was walking beside her, on a leash. Angela noticed the tall beer that I was drinking and we got into a conversation about marijuana, a.k.a., "weed." Yes, I've been a registered Republican for 40 years, and I'm very conservative in my voting, as I'm a supporter of the "Tea Party Movement," in order to limit government intrusion, and to reduce the excessive taxes imposed on my by the State and Federal government of the United States. Angela approached me in the trade of weed, and I declined, not because I'm a red neck, but because currently, weed is illegal in California, There is a process on the November ballot that would make possession of a small amount of weed legal, for personal use, which I support. I break away from the Tea Party Guys, the Republican Party, and the N.R.A. all of which I've supported for many years and have contributed many dollars to support the cause. Hey, as long as we're on the subject of politics, I endorse the concept of combining the U.S., Canada and Mexico into one gigantic country, and making English, Spanish and French the official languages. I propose to make the capitol of the "new" country as Denver, and making each former country semi-governing states, making Washington DC, Ottawa and Mexico City "provisional" capitols, but making Denver the capitol of the "new" country. I propose calling the "new" combined country as "North America" and calling the new capitol city, Denver, as "Denver City." Naturally, since it would be the same country, there would be no trade/immigration restrictions between the "new country. By, lifting the 1860's imposed barriers, we would eliminate many of the problems that we suffer today, and we wouldn't need to see the ugly border fence that separates the U.S. and Mexico. Although I'm a "white boy," I have spoken fluent "Mexican" Spanish for 40+ years, and I speak enough French to get in Canada, or in France. Editores Note: I have never been to Quebec, or France.... For the record, for the past 40 years, I've voted Republican, as I'm a huge fan of NO TAXES. I consider myself a conservative, as I feel that individual freedom, and less government, with less taxes is the way to go. I'm a HUGE fan of Mexico, and I feel that the U.S. government could learn a lot from Mexico, but sadly, that doesn't seem to be the case. The U.S., Canada and Mexico have virtually abolished trade barriers, and have so much in common, so why not just absorb everything, and become one, united country?
Photo: Angela snapped my phot as I was ready to enjoy my quarter pound French Quarter dog. Yep, that's a ham radio transcever strapped to me, check out ericrench.com for information on my ham radio activities. Politics aside, French Quarters BBQ and Soul Food makes a "mean" hot link. If you're in the mood for a great hot link and you're in Roseville during the weekend, stop by French Quarters BBQ, and say hello to Greg or Shawn. French
Quarters BBQ Copyright(c) 2010 eRench Productions, Inc. All rights reserved. This site has been on the web since December 22, 2002. Web page design has been created by eRench Productions, Inc., custom photography for any occasion..
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