ROAD TRIP EVE

Tomorrow I embark upon a very long, very stupid, potentally amazing, definitely expensive, probably life-shortening endeavor: my cross-country-and-back-again road trip. The road trip is ostensbly an American tradition, and I haven’t wanted for advice, anecdotes, or envy from those with whom I’ve discussed it. But no one I’ve talked to seems to have actually done it both ways. Certainly, no one seems to have done it both ways when gas is $3.30 per gallon. If my wallet could cry, the dark patch on my pants would be slightly less embarassing. If my car could cry, its engine would probably run out of fluids by Sacramento. Actually, that might happen anyway.

I had a little preview BBQ at Flint’s in Berkeley. It’s this old run-down place on Shattuck that was closed last summer, which was maddening because I passed it frequently and, to my untrained eye, it just looked good. The only other BBQ I’ve had in the Bay Area have been at establishments where the decor was either too affected or too upscale, which kind of tainted the experience (despite excellent meat at the upscale one). Flint’s is in desparate need of a paint job, and inside it’s just a bare white counter with the menu taped on, and a few beat-up old benches to wait for your take-out. Anyway, Flint’s is open again, so I figured I’d establish a baseline for gorgings to come. I got the pork ribs / beef links combo, and damn if the ribs weren’t mighty fine. Tender, smokey meat, in a dark and sweet sauce. I think I might not be a huge sauce guy, but this was pretty good for a sweet sauce. The links were good but not that meaty, and the potato salad and beans on the side were unremarkable. I’m thinking Dave and I should go there when we get back, and maybe TRex too (the upscale place).