BBQ Pork Sliders at Applebees

The Applebees in my area just added these to the menu and I have to admit they are really pretty good.  I was plenty skeptical ordering bbq from a chain like this, but if bbq is on the menu...I've gotta try it...and I'm glad I did. 
 
The order comes with three medium/small sized sliders full of coarse pulled pork tossed in a reddish, sweet bbq sauce (I would say it was mixture of western NC and a memphis style sauce).  The roll was super soft and complemented the pork perfectly.  They put a pickle chip on each one, which a certainly threw to the side and opted for a cup of cole slaw to garnish my pork (this is a key ingredient in a good bbq sandwich in my opinion).  Applebees fries come with these sandwiches and I think they are some of the best fries you can get at a chain restaurant.  All this for $6.99 in my area...I think that's a pretty good deal.
 
All in all, I just wanted to let you guys know about this new menu item in case you have a hankerin' for decent bbq when your old lady (or man) drags you to the local Applebees for lunch.
 
Also, what are some of yall's opinions on bbq at chain restaurants?  Is it possible to have good cue at these places?

What type of wood do you think they used?

MilwFoodlovers


What type of wood do you think they used?

Most likely balsa wood.

You can make pulled pork in the oven for whatever it's worth.  No, it will not have the smoke taste (unless you use some liquid smoke) associated with wood, but it can still be very tender.

It would be interesting to find out if they make this on site, in a commissary or have it made from them under a private label and distributed to each restaurant by a firm like Sysco.  

QMan - A lot of people would probably prefer you put this post on non-roadfood chains.  You'll have less arguing.  Thanks for the heads up on this new menu item though.

 I see you're from NC...interesting.

jeepguy


 I see you're from NC...interesting.

While I agree this thread belongs in the Chains forum, I must say QMan knows his barbecue. He is the one who brought this place to the forum:
 
http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/The-Skylights-Twin-m495725.aspx

Baah Ben


You can make pulled pork in the oven for whatever it's worth.  No, it will not have the smoke taste (unless you use some liquid smoke) associated with wood, but it can still be very tender.

it won't be BBQ, either.

i haven't had these things, and likely won't, but I have to assume that the sauce is overly sweet and gloppy, and that the pork might as well be chicken in this application.  That has been my experience at places that try to mass market "BBQ" for mall shoppers.

Sorry about the improper placement...most of my posts are usually directed towards BBQ fans like myself.  I mainly wanted to point this menu item out to see what other people thought about BBQ at places that don't typically serve BBQ.

Being from Eastern NC, I know BBQ pretty well, and while this is no Skylight Inn, Wilber's, or my favorite, B's Barbecue, it is one of the better BBQ pork dishes I have had at a restaurant like Applebees. 

As many of you said, it was most likely not smoked over hickory or oak wood, but rather frozen when they recieved it from their distributor, and then heated in the oven.  The desription on the menu said "smoke flavored...", which I'm sure came from a bottle.  

Like BaahBen, I thought that the sauce would be the dark, thick, sweet and overly applied kind that so often accompanies BBQ items at chain restaurants.  However, I was very surprised by the pork's appearance when it came out.  I could actually tell the the meat was pork and not a mystery meat soaked in a mixture of ketchup, molasses and brown sugar.

With all that said, it was a good meal for a BBQ fanatic like myself and I wanted people to have a heads up just in case they find themself at their local Applebees.

'QueperMan


The Applebees in my area just added these to the menu and I have to admit they are really pretty good.  I was plenty skeptical ordering bbq from a chain like this, but if bbq is on the menu...I've gotta try it...and I'm glad I did. 
 
The order comes with three medium/small sized sliders full of coarse pulled pork tossed in a reddish, sweet bbq sauce (I would say it was mixture of western NC and a memphis style sauce).  The roll was super soft and complemented the pork perfectly.  They put a pickle chip on each one, which a certainly threw to the side and opted for a cup of cole slaw to garnish my pork (this is a key ingredient in a good bbq sandwich in my opinion).  Applebees fries come with these sandwiches and I think they are some of the best fries you can get at a chain restaurant.  All this for $6.99 in my area...I think that's a pretty good deal.
 
All in all, I just wanted to let you guys know about this new menu item in case you have a hankerin' for decent bbq when your old lady (or man) drags you to the local Applebees for lunch.
 
Also, what are some of yall's opinions on bbq at chain restaurants?  Is it possible to have good cue at these places?

Sure it's possible to have great Q at a chain, the same way you get great burgers at Mickey D's!

QMan - Tommyeats said it was gloppy; But, I'd have seconded his  assumption until I'd tried it.  But, if you said it was ok so I am sure coming from NC, that it probably was.

Applebee's is one of my very least favorite chains..They and Chili's are two places I rarely ever go to unless I have no choice.  Been at least 4 years since I stepped foot in either. 

Hey, thanks for the info on this new menu item though.  Interesting.  I am just guessing that they are not making this on the premises.  Understanding all they could do is bake off a butt anyway.  I see a cryovac package in my dreams....

douginvirginia

jeepguy


 I see you're from NC...interesting.

While I agree this thread belongs in the Chains forum, I must say QMan knows his barbecue. He is the one who brought this place to the forum:
 
http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/The-Skylights-Twin-m495725.aspx

 Nothing to do with where the post is, just the fact that getting barbeque from applebee's when you live in NC seems odd.

I  am just going to have to say  that the poster must be just a nice guy who goes along with where his wife enjoys eating.  I applaud him  but at the same time would have to admit that I would not be that gracious.

It was actually my mom's choice for mother's day lunch....thanks for the kind words though. 

And you guys are all right, being from NC, if I wanted good BBQ I would certainly not seek out the closest Applebees..that's for sure.

And sorry about that Baah Ben, my eyes got the better of me.

White Castle has also come up with BBQ pork sliders.  I love the WC cheeseburgers but these pork things are absolutely disgusting.  Too sweet, too cloying, and almost no pork flavor.