By Ersin Ozer Explore Big Sky Staff Writer
JACKSON, Wyo. – Located south of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort on Moose-Wilson Road, Q Roadhouse & Brewing Co. opened for business in 2006, with brewery operations starting in 2013. Their mission, according to General Manager Park Dunn-Morrison: “[To] find a balance between taste buds in locals, destination guests, and second home owners.”
The brick and wood-slat walls inside portray a comfortable atmosphere, where cowboy boot-wearing old-timers mingle with tourists and locals in ski boots. Brew taps rotate daily and feature local beers as well as creations brewed in house by the Roadhouse brewery. The menu, created by Chef de Cuisine Matty Melehes and Executive Chef Roger Freedman, contains hearty barbeque selections plus surprises that keep customers coming back.
“[Freedman] created a style unique to Jackson after touring barbeque joints in the south,” Dunn-Morrison said. “There’s an international influence, not just barbecue,” he added, saying that Melehes’ roots also stretch to Baja, Mexico.
The menu focuses on fresh ingredients sourced from 12 regional Mountain West farms and ranches, including products from three Jackson-based suppliers. Don’t miss the Tacos de Carnitas, which incorporate pork sourced from Utah with classic Baja flavors like salsa verde.
Barbeque fans won’t be disappointed with Q’s take on pulled pork smoked with pecan, apple and hickory; and other chefs will want to step up their games after tasting it as well. Order the Roadhouse BBQ Platter, which is stacked with pulled pork, St. Louis spare ribs, Andouille sausage, sliced brisket, and fried Brussels sprouts.
Seafood enthusiasts should order the Blackened Catfish served with shrimp on a bed of Anson Mills Carolina gold rice, its buttery flavor coupled with a texture similar to risotto.
For something fresh and crunchy, try the Ebony & Ivory, a kale-based salad containing fresh apricots and peanuts with notes of citrus. The inspiration for the name of this dish derived from the classic song by Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder, and fits well with the color scheme of white quinoa and black lentils.
Stop in and make yourself at home. This place lacks presumption – in fact they’re down to earth. Not necessarily geared toward the 1 percent, but they’re in the top 1 percent for flavor and service. Occupy Q Roadhouse.
