Cliff’s Smokin’ Backyard BBQ

Cliff’s recently did the barbecue for my backyard wedding and WOW. Everyone I talked to during planning was great, I didn’t wait more than a day to hear back after leaving a message or email (except for once, but their computer had broken) and minor changes in number of people and times the week before the event didn’t phase them. The food was fantastic. I live in TX at the moment (our wedding was at my mom’s house in MA) and have had the supposedly best barbecue ever out there. I don’t know about that, though — Cliff’s was a pretty strong contender. As my husband put it: «I didn’t think that someone from Massachusetts would get barbecue, but those guys are serious.» We did the 3-​meat entrée option (pulled pork, ribs and chicken) and they killed it. The sides were great — some of the best coleslaw I’ve ever had, 3 bean salad, and mac&cheese. The squirt-​on sauce they provide is fantastic, but a little sweet. It tasted a lot like cherries, which was new to me but pretty good. Also, once on site, they are super nice people. My grandmother had a great time chatting about the huge barbecue contraption. Overall, these guys rocked and met every expectation we had.

If you’re looking for some of the best BBQ ever (in Massachusetts), look no further. For the Bostonians, this is better than Redbones, meat is better than Mrs. Jones, and Soul Fire doesn’t even compete.
The boyfriend and I were on our way back from the Mass MOCA driving along Highway 2, and we see a little red gazebo tent set up with some picnic tables and a sign for BBQ. Backyard BBQ in the middle-​of-​nowhere-​farm-​country western MA? Oh, there was no doubt we were stopping.
The little backyard BBQ operation was ran by three people: Cliff himself, Cliff’s wife, and Cliff’s assistant. Cliff recommended the brisket and the ribs, so we trusted him, and we also picked up some smoked potato salad because we couldn’t resist. He went around to his oven, custom built into a train engine, and pulled out some tender looking meat. I ask him how long it’s been in there: «6 to 8 hours,» he replies, coolly. This was going to be awesome!
And sure enough, it was amazing. The brisket was just right, not too chewy and not like butter. Although the ribs were boneless, they definitely tasted like «fall-​off-​the-​bone» texture. The BBQ sauces though, especially the spicy one, really brought out the flavor of the BBQ. I was a wimp with the spicy sauce at first, but after a try, I loved the mild kick of chipotle and the infused raspberry.
For me, the best part of the meal was the smoked potato salad. It was (and is) the best potato salad I have ever had. Smoking potatoes isn’t an original thing, but there was something in it that made it so superb. I had to ask, and Cliff’s wife, who makes everything besides the meat including the sauces and the potato salad, told me the secret ingredient was olives. She chops them up and puts them in there, which mix‘ really well with the olive oil. I didn’t expect her to tell me, but I’m so glad she did because I’m going to experiment and make potato salad as good as hers!
Western MA is a really far drive for city dwellers like us, but if you’re planning a trip to the Mass MOCA/​North Adams any time soon or just happen to be out there, this would be a perfect place to stop! Cliff and company are so nice, extremely hospitable, and have lots of BBQ knowledge! And the other great thing is, they are located on the lot next to the Cold River Package Store where you can grab some great craft brews to enjoy with your food.
Cliff’s is only in the Charlemont location on weekends, they usually travel during the week throughout New England doing catering, so make sure to give them a call before you drop by so you won’t be sad you missed out on some awesome BBQ!