Apparently “Burnt Ends” is a Thing
I really like good BBQ, so I’m in a little bit of shock it’s taken me this long to encounter “burnt ends†(the crispy, super flavorful point part of a brisket). On the other hand, it’s discoveries like this that fuel my love of travel — “I gotta get out more.â€
Funnily enough, my introduction to this delicacy was not in Austin, TX or any other BBQ center in the South. It was at Mojo no. 4 Urban BBQ & Whiskey Bar, ranked #4 for BBQ on Yelp and on the way to my next stop. It was on a charming bit of St. John’s Avenue, a revitalized little main street in the middle of a residential area with a variety of modern, trendy looking restaurants.
The outside is very plain, a modest sign and a dim entryway. Inside was quite spacious, and also quite empty for lunch at 11:30 on a Saturday. I was glad for that, with the cement floors and open space I bet it gets quite loud when crowded.
The menu had a wide variety of options and A LOT of whiskey.
After ordering the Burnt Ends which I’d never heard of before, I asked the waitress what Mojo was best known for. She recommended the pulled pork and beef brisket and mac & cheese and sweet potato mash for sides.
The Burnt Ends are amazing!! Crispy, charred, moist, and flavorful.
The lunch portions are enormous!
The meat was a little dry, but very tender and nice flavor. Not the best I’ve had but definitely good BBQ. The sweet potato mash was very sweet and quite good. The mac & cheese had a crispy herby top, but was my least favorite. It tasted like fake cheese.
There were a variety of sauces – chipotle, mojo, sweet, mustard, and vinegar –mostly mediocre, though fortunately the meat didn’t need much.
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You bet it is! It’s the best part of the brisket.
You never mention where in the world this place is… Jacksonville, FL area.
You want really good burnt ends, you need to go to Kansas City.
Yes! I had the best Burnt Ends at Jack Stack in Kansas City. Definitely recommend it!
Yes, and similar to rib tips – another off-the-beaten path BBQ indulgence with all the flavor and tenderness your mouth can stand.
As someone who lives in KC I have to second @dave but disagree with @lauren and recommend Oklahoma Joe’s or Kansas city Joe’s or whatever they are calling it now (although jack stack’s beans are so so so good I find their meat dry and their sauce isn’t too my liking). Although Anthony Bourdain recommends LC’s burnt ends… To be honest you would be hard pressed to find bad BBQ in KC. One could spend a whole week going to all the good places (Oklahoma Joe’s is closed on Sunday though as a fyi)
Oh I forgot to mention Oklahoma Joe’s only has burnt ends on certain days so it’s best to call ahead. Also the line can be out the door if you go at the wrong time so if that’s the case when you want to go call in for carry out so you can avoid the line.
Mondays and Wednesdays at lunchtime are the times at Okalahoma’s Joes (I mean Joe’s Kansas City) serves Burnt Ends — and you ideally arrive at 11 am on Monday when the place opens.
Here’s a recent post with all the details and photos including the burnt ends: http://www.travelingwiththejones.com/2014/10/03/the-deliciousness-inside-a-kansas-city-kansas-gas-station/