ARKINS SWEET BBQ PIT

 REVIEW

Arkins Sweet BBQ Pit located at 30140 Southfield Rd, in Southfield, MI just between 12 and 13 Mile Rds on the west side of Southfield Rd between Starbucks and Jet's Pizza. It's a hidden gem of a place that serves up some of the best St. Louis style BBQ I've ever tasted. I've been to a lot of BBQ places in my day, but this mostly carry out establishment is truly as sweet as it's sauce. Arkins definitely rivals other well known local BBQ places including, Bad Brad's BBQ, Slow's BBQ in Detroit, The Union Woodshop in Clarkston, or even the Fenton Fire Hall in Fenton, MI just to name a few.

When you first arrive at Arkins, you'll be greeted by the aroma of three smoked woods stacked up to the right of the door next to the in-house smoker. Take a whiff and it'll remind you of a Autumn afternoon when the air is filled with the sweet smell of one burning leaves in their back yard. Hickory, Cherry and Apple woods are used to infuse the meats and produce the flavors a BBQ lover dreams of. 

I've tried almost everything on the menu to date (except the wings and Sweet Corn) and I can't really say that any one item is a miss. All dishes are homemade, a difference you notice right from the first bite.

The meats range from Beef Brisket (lean or moist), to Baby Back Pork Ribs, Rib Tips, Pulled Pork and Pulled Chicken, Smoked Kielbasa, Broasted 1/2 Chicken, BBQ Chicken and whole wings. The chicken seems gigantic and is plump and very juicy. The wings aren't your average sized wings that you would expect to find at a Buffalo Wild Wings. These are boomerang sized WHOLE wings. They're so big, they look like they were taken off of a pterodactyl instead of a chicken. 

The ribs are complimented with a sweet and savory Kansas City style BBQ sauce made on the premises. This sauce needs to be bottled and sold on the grocer shelf. It's so good, you'll be licking everybody elses fingers. There aren't a variety of sauces to choose from as this one proudly stands on it's own. And, let's not forget the sides. Oh my! The SIDES!!!

At other places I've been, when you take a bite out of their cornbread it's like biting into a piece of particle board. Not so at Arkins. The Cornbread there is moist and has real niblets of corn inside each generous slab. The Collard Greens are cooked with turkey and have a real down home flavor to them. You can tell these Greens are good when there are pieces of meat and bones in them. Don't worry; the bones are easy to pick out and actually add a lot of flavor to the Collards.

Simply put, the Baked Beans are the best I've ever eaten. They're simmered with green bell peppers, onions, and brisket. They truly have a unique taste that really stands out and makes you want to have another taste just so that you'll believe they're really that good. The Potato Salad is creamy and sweet, yet savory. The rest of the sides include Sweet Corn, Cole Slaw, Hand Cut Broasted Potatoes and homemade Mac-n-Cheese. The Slaw is a vinegar based sauce, but it's not over powering. I prefer a creamy coleslaw, however if there was a vinegar based slaw I'd say this is a winner.

There are numerous fountain drinks available and specialty sodas including San Pelligrino. They also make homemade Lemonade, which is more like a Lemon Italian Ice in a large size soda tumbler.

No meal would be complete without trying Arkins Peach Cobbler. It's exceptional. It's tangy and sweet with a flaky crust that is buttery and light.

Let's just say that when you visit Arkins Sweet BBQ Pit, you won't go home hungry. It is predominately a carry out place so don't expect to be seated by a server at the door. There are only four tables available. The whole restaurant seats eighteen people. Three of the tables are high tables with tall stools. Only one table seats six with regular sized chairs so organizing a dinner party there probably wouldn't work due to the lack of space. But like I said, this is a carry-out joint. They do cater and will bring a portable smoker right to your door for parties and family get-togethers. Ask for Arkahn. He's the owner and has a burning desire to please his customers however he can. You can tell that he's a man who takes his BBQ seriously, and is eager to please. I wish more shop owners were as passionate as he is about what he puts onto a plate.

I highly recommend Arkins Sweet BBQ Pit the next time you're in the mood for some high quality 'Q'.

Happy noshing,

~Bobby