Love JamBone!
"And last week, as I was driving toward Destin, my craving for BBQ won out and I made an impromptu stop at JamBone for lunch alone. Wow - am I glad I did. It was absolutely, fantastically delish and I can't wait to get back to sample more from the menu.
Owner Scott Alderson opened this "hardwood joint" in what was Coco's restaurant. I must say - it is the perfect location for his concept as the strip mall it's located in is fairly run down and outdated. Anything other than a "joint" in that space wouldn't fit with the feel of the location. But JamBone fits perfectly and will do well because of it - it's that Location. Location. Location. thing. I really like how they have it set it up as well. There is no table service - you order at the counter and they call out your number. As their tag says, it's "slow food .... fast".
What is truly remarkable about JamBone, though, is that it is the first eco-conscious barbeque restaurant I have ever been in - or even ever heard of. Yes, folks, JamBone is a green barbeque joint! How fabulous is that? I don't think that this is a marketing stunt, either. They seem take their eco-role seriously, from using corn and sugar based biodegradable to-go cups and containers to only using hormone and steroid-free, free range, and organic meats (which you can tell in the finished product) bought from local farms whenever possible. I just love it!
I couldn't believe how extensive - and affordable - their menu is. And although I'm sure their barbeque is what will keep people comin' back, they also serve up burgers made from house ground chuck, sirloin and brisket (YUM!), foot long hot dogs, wings, fresh seafood at their raw bar, fish and shrimp baskets, salads, stews and soup, dips and more.
For my lunch, I ordered the Boston Butt ($8.95 with a choice of 2 sides) plain, without a rub, and was offered a choice of 2 sides with that. I chose Jalape?o Slaw and Spicy Fries. Now, I'm a Yank and as such, I grew up eating barbeque which was usually drowning in a sweet BBQ sauce like K.C. Masterpiece and served on a Bunny Bread type bun so was a bit surprised to find out they didn't offer a sandwich. But trust me - no such accoutrements are needed at JamBone and I realized I was a barbeque novice for thinking so.
The meat was absolutely divine - just enough fat with a melt-in-your-mouth quality and a perfectly smoky accent which complimented the pork flavor, not masking it like is so often the case. As I was eating, I was thinking to myself this is what all barbeque pork should taste like, like I had been searching for it my whole life but had never found it until that moment. I don't know if it the hormone and steroid-free, free range, organic meat or the smoking process (100% natural lump oak charcoal and local seasoned Pecan wood) - or a combination of both? - but I didn't even think to sauce my meat, although they do have an assortment on the table to choose from. In the last few days I hear they have added a sandwich ($7.99 with one side) but you don't need the bread - I promise! I wasn't a huge fan of the Jalape?o Slaw - it was tasty but too spicy for my taste and I was thinking a more sweet-sour version would've been perfect with my au natural pork and spicy fries. But that was incidental as the meat is what I focused on and had more than enough on my plate to keep me happy.
I am anxious to try the Beef Brisket ($10.95) next. I will work my way through the menu to be sure - Spareribs, chicken, 7 types of specialty barbeque, wings, burger ... oh, and for sure there will be more Boston Butt in there somewhere as it is one of my new favorites. I will write about my JamBone adventures as I do so!
JamBone - A Hardwood Joint is open 7 days a week from 11am - 2am. They serve food all day and night. They are located at 3906 US HWY 98 West, Suite 10 in Santa Rosa Beach. Phone is 850.267.1497. They accept MasterCard, Visa and Discover cards."