|
Review content:
Chester's restaurant is large, clean, well decorated, and pleasant. The staff are friendly and accommodating The food could be better, but is not bad for New England. The problem may be in the different definitions of Barbecue. I tend to like the BBQ at Goode and Co. as opposed to Otto’s when I am in Houston, but I love Arthur Bryant’s in KC. Chester’s on the other hand is not as smokey as AB’s, but similar to Otto’s. They have burnt ends that were not as good as AB's, but just to have them on the menu is a big plus.
I do not like the sauce selection, and it could use something spicier. The pork comes in pulled and chopped varieties. I tried them both, and found the chopped too fatty, and the pulled too eastern South Carolina. But as I said, there are different definitions of BBQ. The beans need help, as they always seem canned to me. Try the beans and rice which are red beans and more home made.
I don’t like corn bread, and do not know why it is served at Chester’s. I was never served cornbread in the Missouri, Tennessee, North or South Carolina or Texas BBQ joints, but in Groton cornbread is king. Good value, and free drink refills bring this place up to a four out of five. Not to mention that it has great ambiance, is clean, and well run. Chester is almost always there
I should also mention that place was reviewed by two newspapers when it was in its old location. Rick Koster for the Day seemed to give it an okay review, but acknowledged that the food is microwaved. He also tried the ribs, while I did not. The Norwich Bulletin loved the place, but did not try the brisket (they ran out that day). The reviewer did not seem to know anything about barbecue or what it was supposed to taste like. The tasteless reviewer liked the sauces and even raved about the corn bread. Microwaved cornbread? To each his own.
Pros: Friendly service. Good selection. good value
Cons: Need more sauces. Smoke ring not heavy. Generally fatty
|