I do not make restaurant posts too often. I love off the beaten path or hole in the wall places as I usually find the tastiest food there. The place I stopped at last weekend is off the beaten track and has great food. I think Pop- Eez Smoke deserves a shout out.
My GPS took me on a different route from New Paltz to another destination than it has before. When I passed the signs for BBQ and brunch on a farm, I knew I had to turn back and see what it was about. Pop-Eez is located on 2098 Bruynswick Road in Wallkill, NY. Pop- Eez is open weekends 10-3 from May- November. They also do catering for events.
Their kitchen and walk up ordering window is in the red building, while the indoor seating is in the green building. The offer outdoor seating at picnic tables behind the green building.
As the first signs show, Pop-Eez is on the grounds of the Patchwork Quilt Farm and Inn at the Ridge Bed and Breakfast. The inn was built in 1796 and is furnished with pieces acquired from that time period and shortly thereafter.
The Food
I was told no seed oils or processed sugar are used when they cook. They use local maple syrup or honey. They use apple wood to smoke the meats. In addition many of the vegetables they get from the farm or source locally in season.
They advertise as Texas style smoked BBQ. I lived in Texas a few years and found when I returned I had difficulty locating restaurants that offered food authentic to what I tasted in Texas. Pop-Eez’s smoked chicken sandwich tasted authentic, which is a rare find in New York. It is on a farm, and as their sign says organically grown. The chef, Sal, I was told was in the first graduating class of the CIA, the Culinary Institute of America. Sal and Bev run the inn. Sal’s son, Justin, runs the farm and restaurant.
I ordered the smoked chicken sliders, which came with slaw and they threw in zucchini. I also ordered the vegetable dumpling that comes with scallions and mustard. All were divine. I appreciate restaurants that include good quality vegetables with the meal. As you can see I decided to eat at one of the outdoor picnic tables which come with umbrellas.
Other offerings on their menu include: smoked brisket sandwich, smoked brisket tacos, or shiitake tacos. They also have meals that include cornbread which include smoked brisket and smoked pork ribs, or meals with smoked sausage or hot dogs with brisket. Desserts include pie, pastries, and cornbread with berries.
On another trip I ordered the cornbread with berries for dessert. They use hand whipped cream made on the premises for this dessert.
The chef makes and sells his own hot sauce, which is on the lower end of spicy hot. The house sauce, I’m told, is what started it all. It is cayenne based, fermented hot sauce. No cooking is involved in making it and there are no additives. As you can see in the picture of the bottle, the seeds and skins of the pepper are in the bottle.
The Location
The grounds behind the restaurant are lovely with views of ponds and the Shawangunk Mountains. The Adirondack chairs shown above are on a pond with lotus flowers currently in bloom.
This is a resident rooster, Champion, who wanders the grounds. He is harmless and even posed for some pictures. They have more chickens penned up near the inn.
This is Chuck, the resident pit master, greeter, Maître d’, and crumber. This dog is very friendly, greeted me at my car, sat next to me while I ate (most likely on crumb duty) and posed for pictures. No worries, he is very well behaved.
Supporting Veterans
This restaurant, farm, and inn support Heroic Food, an organization that helps veterans by training them in agricultural trades and farming in preparation for jobs in the food sector. The farm has employed people in this program.
If you are into Texas style smoked BBQ, want some farm fresh food included in your meal, a meal overseen by a CIA trained chef, or want to support a business that helps veterans stop by Pop-Eez BBQ. The views from the property are the added bonus.
For more Info
For more information click on the link below to see Pop-Eez on Facebook.
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