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Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Rancho A Go Go




665 N Tustin St
Orange, CA 92867

(714) 502-4053 
 

Rancho To Go and Rancho A Go Go are the one and the same. Rancho A Go Go is the food truck and Rancho To Go is their physical store, which only opens on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 11am-8pm.  That's quite a bummer because this is a legit PROPER BBQ, none I have seen yet in OC.
So, screw you all boiled garbage.

From our conversation, Chris, the owner, almost couldn't restraint his passion about BBQ.  I could see that he loves what he is doing as shown by his approach: showcasing the meats themselves as meats are not immersed in sauce that serve as a lipstick to the pig (pun intended).  As a "meat guy" place, the serving portion is also very generous (look at the picture below).  Next time, we will get the ribs!

Detailed notes:

Tri Tip Sandwich, Texas style (for Wifey Queen Bee): moist and tender, fragrant with the right amount of smokiness. Generous amount of serving.  Light treatment of sauce showcasing the deliciousness of the meat. Right amount of gentle sweetness. Black pepper overtone. Served on a sweet bun. Four and a half stars.

So, our conversation started with my remark: "I'm so excited to see Carolina style pulled pork here.  I haven't found a good one on this side of the Mississippi."  Chris then looked at it meaningfully, then went to kitchen and a couple minutes later showed up with a sample of vinegar-based sauce(!) just like in the Carolinas.  He said "this is what you are more used to."  My eyes sparkled and asked him "is this how you usually make it or is a special order?" Special order it was.

Pulled Pork Sandwich, with Carolina Vinegar Sauce (requested): spice rubbbed and slowly cooked,very fragrant. A very similar texture to a good Carnitas.  Replacing the usual BBQ sauce was Carolina vinegar-based sauce with spices, chili powder, and a hint of tomato paste.  Sauce came on the side generously in a small soup container.  I couldn't stop pouring a little bit of that vinegar sauce before every bite.  Five minus stars for doing it in OC.

Sides included: mac and cheese and potato salad.  Both were solid and made with good quality ingredients with a lot of love.  To describe it: they tasted like good ones made by Aunt Bertha.

As a closing remark, I also asked Chris if his slaw was pepper slaw.  He said no, "people around here don't understand it."  So, you might not share my excitement of the Carolina BBQ and probably should go with the delicious original recipe. 
Pulled Pork Sandwich without Sauce

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