Bites Around the Block: Baby Blues, BBQ Minus the Backyard

With the (brief) return of warm weather, it seems that the worst of winter is behind us and the close of the semester, and summer, is on everybody’s minds. And what better way to make everybody’s favorite season feel that much closer (unfortunately there are still finals to take before that day is actually upon us) than to indulge in barbecue, a backyard, eighty-degree classic? With this Tuesday’s impending snows making bikini season feel that much further away, there is really nothing holding you back from the mac-and-cheese and cornbread you know you deserve. While people can get quite particular about their favorite type and spot for barbecue, with such a convenient (walking-distance!) location at 34th and Sansom, Baby Blues is an easy and satisfying, choice.

Sandwiched between Penn favorites White Dog and Doc Magrogan’s, Baby Blues is often overlooked, but with spring’s mild weather the exterior seating is just as nice of a lunch option as the other two and practically guarantees you no wait-time. It is more crowded at night, but any table inside is generally fine unless you’re seated downstairs, in which case prepare yourself for SLOW service (re: a minimum of a two-hour meal).

The dishes include standard BBQ fare and are consistent. The “Get Down Miss Brown Plate” is a classic, especially when paired with the mac n’ cheese and baked beans. If you’re in more of a sandwich mood, the Macnow Sandwich is a fresh twist on an old standby, the heat from the hot peppers provies just enough bite to offset the richness of the pork and cheese.

Baby Blues even has something for the vegetarian diner. The “Side Car Plate” is a combination of sides, which include multiple vegetarian-friendly options. None of the desserts are stand-outs, so those calories are best re-allocated to a plate of wings or Baby Blues sliders for the table.