I spent a delightful Monday evening this week at a tasting
for Orlando’s newest BBQ concept,
American Q.
This unique restaurant combines the fun and excitement of a
Brazilian-style carving and buffet experience with the traditional American
flavors of barbecue. It’s a relaxed,
rustic setting with a restored 1951 red Ford truck as the centerpiece, holding
the salad bar. Executive Chef Justin Leo created an inspired menu that gives guests a true tour of the best of BBQ.
I started with a Dragonfruit Smash cocktail. This unusual
drink combines muddled dragon fruit, tequila, basil simple syrup, lemon and
mint, with a big slice of dragonfruit as a garnish. The flavor was very sweet
and tropical, but the lumpy texture from the dragonfruit seeds takes some
getting used to. Still, it’s a fun way
to try this exotic fruit for the first time!
The bar snacks are truly worth the trip, especially the
signature Swine Candy. I’m not usually a
fan of sweetness and bacon combined, but this snack is truly exceptional. Smoked bacon is roasted with molasses & bold
spices to a crunchy-chewy texture, and I liked pairing it with the yummy tater
tots.
I also loved the blue crab and rémoulade stuffed deviled eggs, a nice twist on this vintage favorite.
Visitors to Florida often want to sample alligator meat, and
American Q’s alligator boudin is a nice way to cross that off the bucket list.
Nicely smoked with rice, roasted tomatoes, peppers & okra, it’s like a
Cajun jambalaya in a sausage.
I tried all three types of ribs, and my favorite was the Memphis
Baby Backs, nice and meaty with a mild sauce, served with a refreshing apple and
caraway coleslaw.
Then it was on to the Flatbed Buffet- an all-you-can-eat
bargain at $34.95 for adults, $10 for kids. The servers did a great job
explaining the regional sauces: Kansas City, Carolina, Texas Mustard, and a
Florida-inspired Mango Heat. They helped
us pair them with the delicious smoked meats.
My favorites were the House Made Andouille Sausages, Smoked
Pork Shoulder with Spiced Onions, and Picanha of Beef.
But the star of the evening was the Brisket
Of Beef with Texas Bark. I’m a brisket
connoisseur, having traveled all over Texas to experience different
preparations. And I was shocked to discover that this was the most tender, most
intensely smoky and juicy brisket I’ve ever tasted. I really enjoyed pairing it
with the very nice loaded baked potato salad from the buffet. I’ll make the
trip to American Q just to experience that brisket again.
Oh and for the dessert too! Many restaurants just phone in their desserts, or serve some
frozen and reheated standards. But American Q makes each one in-house, and each
is incredibly delicious.
The classic Berry
Cobbler, served in a mini cast iron pot, is rustic perfection with a scoop of vanilla
ice cream on top. I also loved the Croissant Bread Pudding with warm apple
compote and whipped cream. The piece de resistance was the decadent S’mores Pie. This stuff is serious! The layered graham
crackers, gooey chocolate cake, and toasted marshmallow topping makes it a
chocoholics dream come true.
I was wowed from beginning to end at American Q,
and I highly recommend it for both locals and tourists alike! Located in the B Resort & Spa in the Downtown Disney area of Lake Buena Vista:
1905 Hotel Plaza Blvd.
Lake Buena Vista, FL
(407)827-3080
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