The sweet smell of hickory greets you in the parking lot.
Walk into Gemato’s Wood Pit BBQ and you’d swear you are at a BBQ joint in Anywhere, TX.
Step up to the counter and owner Mario Soto asks, “What will you have?” Ask for something special like beef brisket and pulled pork combo (which Mark did) and Mario says “Sure, no problem.”
Laurie ordered the Chicken (“melts in your mouth”) Kabob Salad – fresh greens with two skewers of marinated chicken breast, green peppers, onions, tomatoes and, of course, Feta cheese. Finish with homemade Italian dressing and its one of the best salads she has ever had.
In addition to the “special” two- meat combo (brisket as good as “The Woodyard” in KCMO and “huge chunks” of pulled pork), Mark selected sides of Greek Potatoes (in a BBQ place? Yep!) – baked and perfectly seasoned – and baked beans (vs. slaw – very tough choice).
The menu at Gematos is more than BBQ. Burgers, chicken and shrimp are flame grilled over a natural wood fire. Hardwood logs are split on premise and a roaring fire is fed all day long.
There are Greek specialties, salads, sandwiches, wraps and, of course, Gyros.
Gemato’s is decorated in a western motif – plenty of wagon wheels and horse shoes. Saddles and horse blankets hang from the rafters. Bad guys beware – Buffalo Bill and Annie Oakley are lookin’ over your shoulder and there’s a “no shootin” sign – just in case you need a warning.
As we were leaving, we could only concur with the sign on the wall that says “Yippee’ee” – sums up our dinner at Gemato’s.
If Anywhere, TX is not on your future travel plans, you can still get some of the best BBQ we’ve ever had – just head on out to Gemato’s Wood Pit BBQ, located at 1566 W. Ogden Ave.
